
Paine Publishing Co 

Day ton, Ohio 


PN 6120 


. C5 17 


Copy 1 


Choice Christmas 
iialogues 6 Plays 

By Marie Irish j 
















f * 

i 

Song Specialties for Your 
Entertainments 

| Teachers are discovering that no matter how 

| much novelty there is in their entertain¬ 
ment, how well it is arranged, how thoroughly 
; drilled, if they want to hold the active interest 
of the audience they must use the best of songsi 
The songs must be real novelties. The words 
must be interesting as well as decidedly clever. 
The music must be catchy and abounding in rich 
melody. With these things in mind we have 
u prepared this list of superior song novelties for 
our patrons. All are in regular sheet music form. 

Price, 3S cents each; S for $1.25 

WELCOME SONGS 

We’ve Just Arrived from Bashful Town. 
We Hope You’ve Brought Your Smiles 
Along. 

Come and Partake of OurWelcome Cake. 
We’re Very Glad to See You Here. 
With Quaking HeartsWeWelcomeYou. 

CLOSING SONGS 

Mr. Sun and Mrs. Moon. 

Now, Aren’t You Glad You Came? 

We Do Not Like to Say Goodbye. 

We’ll Now Have to Say Goodbye. 


Paine Publishing Co., Dayton, Ohio 












Choice Christmas 
Dialogues and Plays 


BY 

MARIE IRISH 

\\ 


AUTHOR OF 

Choice Christmas Entertainments 
Best Christmas Pantomimes 
Snappy Humorous Dialogues 
Catchy Primary Recitations 



PAINE PUBLISHING COMPANY 

DAYTON, OHIO 














Copyright, 1922, by 
L. M. Paine. 



SEP 29 ’22 

©C1A687044 


'VIC f 


Choice Christmas Dialogues and Plays 

CONTENTS 

PRIMARY GRADES pAGE 

The Secret op Christmas. 5 

The Christmas Bells. 9 

A Christmas Family. 10 

A Magic Word. 12 

Is There A Santa Claus ?. 16 

Secrets . 18 

Surprising the Surprisers. 21 

Preparing for Christmas. 24 

Boastful December. 28 

INTERMEDIATE GRADES 

The Lights of.Christmas. 33 

.The Boastful Giant. 37 

, The Broken Picture. .. 40 

yMEow Edith Found Christmas. 44 

^Herbert’s Discovery. 52 

The Christmas Story. 54 

Doing Away with Christmas. 58 

Merry Christmas Jake. 65 

Cora's Christmas Visitors. 69 

GRAMMAR GRADES 

’^The Joy of Giving. 75 

v^The Picketts’ Christmas Party. 80 

The Hortons’ Christmas Trip. 88 

The Christmas Dinner. 98 

Playing Santa Claus. 102 

/ k . Double Christmas Gift.106 

Aunt Hepsy’s Stocking .Ill 

v Grandfather’s Bright Christmas Plan.122 

The Coming of Christmas.133 




























































































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Choice Christmas Dialogues and Plays 
Primary Grades 


THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS 

FOR FOUR GIRLS AND THREE BOYS 
Robert [crossly] : 

Oh, dear, I’m tired of Christmases! 

Just as tired as I can be; 

I’m sick and tired of Santa Claus, 

And the presents he brings me. 

I’ve got a sled, a drum and skates, 

Lots more books than I can read— 

In fact, there isn’t anything 
I can think of that I need. 

I’ve seen so many Christmas trees, 

They don’t give me any joy; 

I wish it wasn’t Christmas time, 

I’m a most unhappy boy. 

Enter little girl in white, trimmed with sprays of holly. 
Holly Girl : 

I am sure the glossy holly, 

With its berries red and bright, 

Will cheer you up and make you feel 
That Christmas time is all right; 

Just look at this [holds out holly] and happy be— 
Isn’t it a pretty sight? 

Robert: 

A bushel of holly on the wall 
Wouldn’t cheer me up at all. 

[Girl goes out sadly.] 

Enter girl in white with red paper bells pinned on her 
dress. She carries a cluster of small bells. 


5 



6 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Bell Girl: 

Just listen to the Christmas bells; [Rings bells.] 
Does not their merry jingle 
Cause you to feel real Christmas-y 
And set you all a-tingle? 

It makes me happy as anything 
When Christmas bells begin to ring. 

[Rings bells again.] 


Robert [ scornfully ] : 

They could ring from now till doomsday 
And not make me feel one bit gay. 

• [Girl goes out.] 


Enter boy with candles 

He carries a strip of pasteboard with several lighted 
candles set in it. He should have small candles of various 
colors fastened around his collar for a fringe, sewing them 
fast by the wicks. 

Candle Boy : 

The candles shining here and there 
With glowing, bright little flame, 

Should cheer you up and make you feel 
That Christmas is more than a name. 

As you watch them flicker and glow 
Doesn’t your love for Christmas grow? 

Robert: 

I’m tired of candles as I can be— 

Go away and don’t bother me. 

[Boy goes out.] 

Enter two girls 

One is trimmed with red crepe paper, the other with 
green. They sing gaily: 


/ 


t 

CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 7 

Tune: AULD LANG SYN'E 

God rest you, merry gentlemen, 

Let nothing you dismay, 

For Christ, the Lord, was born upon 
The blessed Christmas day. 

And so we sing today, our carols gay, 

For Christ, the Lord, was born upon 
The Christmas day. 

First Girl: 

Surely Christmas must seem more dear 
When the merry carols you hear. 

Second Girl: 

Do they not make you feel that you 
Must have a part in Christmas too? 

Robert: 

I don't enjoy a Christmas song, 

So you two may travel along. 

[They exeunt.] 

Enter boy carrying stocking filled with packages 
Stocking Boy: 

In early dawn of Christmas mom 
Doesn't it fill you with glee, 

Cram-full like this from top to toe [Holds stocking 
forward. ] 

Your Christmas stocking to see? 

The sight of this should make you say 
That Christmas is a merry day. 

Robert: 

It doesn’t thrill me for a minute 

When I don’t care for what is in it. [Boy goes out.] 

Oh, dear! How sad to be a boy 

Who hasn't any Christmas joy. 

Enter Holly-Girl, Bell-Girl, Candle-Boy, Carol- 
Girls and Stocking-Boy, each with what they carried be¬ 
fore. They group on each side of Robert. 


8 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

All: 

Since we can’t give YOU Christinas joy 
We’re going to find another hoy; 

We’ll visit Henry Brown who’s lame 
And he ’ll be very glad we came. 

Stocking-Boy : 

He hasn’t got a single toy 
To fill his lonely hours with joy. 

Holly-Girl : 

His home is very poor and bare, 

With not a spray of holly there. 

Bell-Girl : 

He’ll have no good Christmas dinner to eat, 

Not even a sack of candy sweet. 

Candle-Boy : 

He’s feeling pretty blue because 
He’s not expecting Santa Claus. 

Carol-Girls : 

So goodby; we’re going from here 

To take Henry Brown some Christmas cheer. 

Robert [excitedly] : 

Say, let me go along and help— 

He’d like some of my toys, I know; 

I’ll take him some of my picture books, 

And a train of cars that can go. 

Let’s fix him up a little tree, 

And hang holly on the wall; 

Come on—it will be splendid fun. 

I do like Christmas, after all. 

All: . 

This is the secret of Christmas, you see: 

Share, your joys and you’ll happy be. 

[Robert leads and all pass out merrily .] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


9 


THE CHRISTMAS BELLS 

FOR FOUR OF THE SMALLEST FOLKS 

Each child wears a crepe paper sash, two green and two 
red, with tiny bells sewed on the ends; also each one 
carries a bell or a cluster of small ones, to ring while 
marching. 

Ringing their bells they run in, single file, run once 
around the stage and form in line across the center. 

First Child: 

When Merry Christmas time draws near 
The hells begin to ring; 

Don’t you enjoy the music of 
Their cheerful ting-a-ling? 

The one who led in entering leads the file, they run 
around the stage in a circle and back to places, ringing 
their bells. 

Second Child: 

When Merry Christmas time draws near, 

O’er valley, plain and hill, 

The bells ring out the old-time song 
Of peace and glad good will. 

Two go to the right, two to the left, they run around 
stage to center of back and come up the center to places, 
ringing bells. 

Third Child: 

When Merry Christmas time draws near 
The bells ring out and say: 

“Let every one be joyous on 
The blessed Christmas day.” 

Two stand still, the other two run around them in a 
circle, all ringing bells. 


10 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Fourth Child: 

When Merry Christmas time draws near 
The bells say: “While you’re glad 
Do not forget to share your joy 
With someone who is sad.” 

All [ringing bells softly ] : 

King, ring, ring and ting-a-ling-ling, 

At Merry Christmas time; 

We can’t help being happy when 
The bells begin to chime. 

[Run off in circle, ringing bells.] 


A CHRISTMAS FAMILY 

FOR A BOY AND A GIRL 

Girl dresses as a mother with long skirt and hair done up on head; 
boy wears stiff hat, standing collar and tie, a mustache and 
“grown-up” clothes. On chairs about the stage are six dolls, of 
various sizes and kinds, some quite battered. 


Mother [looking about at dolls] : 

Now children, you are clean and neat; 

I could kiss you all, you look so sweet. 

I hope you’ll be polite all day, 

And nothing naughty do or say. [Knock is heard.] 
A caller’s coming. Now please see 
How well behaved you each can be. 

[She goes over to side.] 


Enter the Agent 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


11 


Agent : 

Madam, I’ve x called today to show 
Something you’ll want to buy, I know; [Takes bot¬ 
tle from his packet.] 

’Tis a medicine that’s handy 
When one has eaten too much candy. 

Since Christmas time is drawing near [Looks at the 
dolls.] 

I’m sure that you will need it here. 

Though children eat candy Christmas day 
One dose of this will drive pain away. 

You’ve a fine family, I must say— 

The best I’ve seen in many a day. 

Mother : 

Oh, thank you sir, for the compliment, 

And though to brag is not my intent^ 

I’m not afraid, sir, to declare, 

My children are good as they are fair. 

One reason is, I’m safe to say, 

Because I got them on Christmas day. 

Agent [pointing to old doll ] : 

This one looks so tattered and old— 

I ’spose your love for her’s grown cold. 

Mother : 

You’re wrong, sir. Though her charms are small 
I love Susanna best of all. 

She looked so sweet on the Christmas tree 
When dear old Santa brought her to me. 

Agent : 

You’ve a large family. Though they’re fair 
I’m sure they must be a dreadful care. 

Since you’ve so many I ’spose you’ll grieve 
If Santa another child should leave. 


12 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mother : 

Indeed you’re mistaken, I’d happy be 
If Santa this Christmas brings me three. 

Though we mothers have .children galore 
Santa knows we are pleased with more. 

Agent : 

Madam, won’t you my medicine try? 

Fifty cents this bottle will buy. 

Christmas candies you need not fear 
When you have this medicine here. 

Mother : 

Well, since it keeps the pain away 
I suppose I’ll need it Christmas day. 

I’ll take two bottles, sir, because 
I’m expecting more children from Santa Claus. 

Agent : 

Madam, you’re very wise, I’ll say. [Takes money.] 
Thank you kindly, and now good day. [Exit.] 

CURTAIN 


A MAGIC WORD 

FOR NINE GIRLS 

Each girl dresses in white and wears a large letter cov¬ 
ered with red crepe paper, which reaches from chest to 
near bottom of dress; also a bow of the red paper on hair. 

First Girl: 

See my C! It stands for Curious Children who are 
wondering what presents gay Santa will bring them on 
a certain day; it also stands for Candy sweet, which they 
very much enjoy to eat. 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


13 


Second Girl [enters and stands by first ] : 

Here’s my H! It stands for Holly hanging high upon 
the wall, and for the Happiness that now is coming to us 
all. It also stands for Horns which the small boys like to 
blow, I hope Santa has a plenty 'in the garden where they 
grow. 

Third Girl [enters and stands by second ] : 

Read my R! It stands for Red, a color much in style 
this merry season, and though I shall not tell it, there is, 
my friends, a reason. It also stands for Rest, which many 
of us need, but we can not get it now—we’re very busy 
indeed. 

Fourth Girl: 

Eye my I! It stands for Industrious—a long word for 
me to say, but we’re all Industrious just ’fore a certain 
day. It keeps us working hard just trying to be good, as 
jolly Mr. Santa Claus says all children should. 

Fifth Girl: 

Guess my S! It stands for Sunny Smiles that most 
folks now are wearing; though we may have troubles, none 
of us are caring. It also stands for Skates and Sleds that 
Santa Claus will leave when we’re tucked in our beds. 

Sixth Girl: 

This is T! It stands for a certain wonderful Tree that 
is much in use just now and beautiful to see. It bears 
curious fruit of more kinds than I can tell; ’tis a tree 
you oft have seen and its name you all know well. 

Seventh Girl: 

Mark my M! It stands for Many and also for Merry 
which Many children are at this time; you can see their 
smiles a-flashing and hear their gay laugh chime. It also, 
I would say, stands for a small word—Meek, which is the 
kind of children that Santa Claus doth seek. 


14 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Eighth Girl: 

Hooray for my A! It stands, as all of you know, for 
Any, and if of presents Santa Claus does not bring you 
Any, let us know—I’ll buy you one ’cause I’ve got an 
extra penny. 

Ninth Girl: 

Yes, this is S! It stands for the slender Stockings that 
hang upon many a wall; it 'also stands for Santa who 
comes with presents to fill them all. Let’s hope his sled 
has a generous supply so he need not pass any Stockings by. 

All: 

Christmas, Christmas, the word our letters spell; 
Christmas, Christmas, its praises we now tell, 
Christmas, Christmas, the reason we spell it here 
Is ’cause we love it best of all days of the year. 

First Girl : 

Curious Children are eagerly waiting, 

All: 

For Christmas day; 

Second Girl : 

Holly is hanging upon the wall, 

All: 

To make Christmas gay. 

Third Girl : 

Red festoons and Red bells a-plenty, 

All: 

Brighten Christmas day; 

Fourth Girl: 

Industrious children are making gifts 

All: 

So they say, they say. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


15 


Fifth Girl: 

Smiling faces are trying hard, 

All: 

To drive care away; 

Sixth Girl: 

A certain Tree is always seen, 

All: 

On Christmas day. 

Seventh Girl: 

Children meek from mischief keep, 

All: 

’Tis Santa’s laws; 

Eighth Girl: 

Any one should not be slighted, 

All: 

By Santa Claus. 

Ninth Girl: 

Hang up your stocking and get a gift 

All: 

From Santa’s sleigh; 

First Girl: 

Christmas is a jolly time, 

All: 

So we all say! 

All repeat again the four lines above beginning, ‘ ‘ Christ¬ 
mas, Christmas,” then exeunt. 


16 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS? 

Enter two little children in night-dresses. Hand in hand, 
they go to the front of the stage. 

Both : 

Mamma and papa think we are in bed, 

But we just took it into our head 
That we would see old Santa Claus 
When he comes here to-night, because 
We want to find out if he looks 
Just like ho does in picture-books. 

Jim Jones says he does not believe 
That Santa Claus does presents give; 

But we know why he doesn’t know— 

It’s ’cause he’s bad; mamma told us so. 

Santa brings things when you’re good, 

When you’ve been just as good as you could. 

This is the honest truth, we know, 

Because our mamma told us so. 

They go to one side of the stage where a large armchair 
is sitting. 

Both: 

Let’s turn this great big chair around, 

And then not make a single sound. 

We don’t want Santa Claus to know 
That we are watching for him so. 

They turn the chair with the high back facing the center 
of the stage. They crouch behind it, peering around it 
toward the fireplace which is at the center. Then, enter 
Mother and Father carrying toys. They are older girl 
and boy dressed in grown-up clothes. They fill the stock¬ 
ings hanging by the fireplace. 

Father and Mother [as they finish] : 

In the morning our children dear 
Will be glad because Santa has been here. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


17 


Exit the parents. In the meantime, the children have 
been watching, first open-eyed, then sobbing. They con¬ 
tinue crying aloud for a time after parents have gone. 

First Child [while other cries ] : 

No Santa Claus, no Santa Claus! 

Whatever shall we do? 

It seems to me I can’t believe 
That he’s not real and true. 

Second Child [while First cries aloud ] : 

Dear me ! dear me ! 

I cannot see 

How there no Santa Claus 
Can be! 

They cry aloud together. Then a group of children, 
out of sight, sing “Up on the House,” the old, old song. 

1 “Up on the house-top reindeer pause, 

Out jumps good old Santa Claus. 

Down through the chimney with lots of toys, 

All for the little ones’ Christmas joys. 

Chorus : 

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Who wouldn’t go! 

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Who wouldn’t go! 

Up on the house-top click! click! click! 

Down through the chimney with good St. Nick. 

2 “First comes the stocking of little Nell, 

Oh, dear Santa, fill it well. 

Give her a dolly that laughs and cries, 

One that will open and shut its eyes. 

Chorus : 

“Ho! Ho! Ho! etc. 

3 “Next comes the stockings of little Will, 

Oh, just see what a glorious fill 1 

Here is a hammer and lots of tacks, 

Also a ball and a whip that cracks. 

Chorus: 

“Ho! Ho! Ho! etc,” 


18 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


At the close of the song, enter a boy dressed in fur and 
sleigh-bells as messenger from Santa Claus, 

Good evening, little children dear, 

I’m representing Santa here. 

He heard you crying bitter tears, 

And sent me down to calm your fears. 

For he’s a very busy man. 

No matter how much he may plan, 

He can’t get ’round on Christmas Eve, 

His presents at all homes 1 to leave. 

To your dear papa his gifts he sends, 

And he with your mamma to them attends. 

But since you were so very sad, 

He sent you some “specials” to make you glad— 

A little gift for each of you, 

And one for all your playmates, too. 

Calls names and distributes candy, oranges, or little 
trinkets. 


SECRETS 

FOR FOUR BOYS 

Jack comes on stage with a package; Joe enters at opposite side. 
Joe: Hello, Jack. Where you been? 

Jack t I’ve been down to the toy store. 

Joe: What’s in that package? 

Jack: It’s a secret. 

Joe: A secret? Say, tell me what it is. 

Jack: Promise you won’t tell? 

Joe: Sure I won’t. Cross my heart. [Crosses heart.] 

Jack: Well, it’s a big colored top for little Tim O’Brien. 
He’s lame an’ has to sit all the time in a chair, so I’m 
going to give him a Christmas present. He’ll like to 
spin this top. Good-bye. [Goes off happily.] 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


19 


Joe: Say, that’s a good secret. [Pulls a dime from kis 
pocket.] I’ve got a dime here that I was going to spend 
for candy. I ’ll buy a toy with it for lame Tim’s Christ¬ 
mas^ Guess I can have a secret as well as Jack. [Looks 
at dime and smiles.] 

Enter Will 

Will: Hello, Joe. What you looking at? 

Joe: It’s going to be a Christmas secret. 

Will: A secret? Come on and tell me ’bout it. 

Joe: Aw, you’ll go an’ tell. 

WTLL: No, honest I won’t, 

Joe: Well, this dime is to buy a toy for lame Tim 
O’Brien’s Christmas present. He needs something to 
play with. I’m going to the store now. Good-bye. [He 
goes off whistling.] 

Will: Huh, he thinks he’s smart with his secret. It’s a 
good kind. I’d like one like that myself. [Thinks.] 
I’m going to take some of the money Uncle Fred gave 
me and get Tim a present too. Guess he gets tired of 
being lame. [Goes off smiling.] 


SCENE II—Tim’s home, Christmas morning 
Tim sits in an old easy chair with a blanket over his knees. 

Tim: I wish Santy Claus had brought me some toys to 
play with. [Sighs.] Guess he didn’t have enough to 
go ’round. [Knock is heard.] Come in. 

Enter Jack 

Jack : Merry Christmas, Tim. Santa Claus sent you this. 
[Gives package.] 

Tim : Merry Christmas yourself. Sure, I ’m much obliged. 
[Hugs package.] 

Jack: I hope you’ll like it. [Knock is heard. Tim calls 
“Come in,”] 


20 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Enter Joe 

Joe: Merry Christmas, Tim. Here’s something from 
Santa Claus. [Gives package.] 

Tim : Merry Christmas to you, an’ I’m sure my Christmas 
will be fine if I gits so many presents. [Laughs and 
hugs both packages to him.] 

Jack : Santa Claus wanted you to have something to play 
with. 

Tim: Sure, that’s what I’ve been wantin’. [Knock is 
heard.] Come in. 

Enter Will 

Will: W’y, hello, boys. Merry Christmas, Tim. This 
is from Santa Claus an’ he hopes you’ll like to play 
with it. [Gives package.] 

Tim [laughing happily ]: Boys, this is grand. Say, this 
is the best Christmas I’ve ever had. Mither said I 
couldn’t have much Christmas, times bein’ so hard—but 
Santy fooled ’er. Oh, this is fine! 

Will: Hurrah for Christmas. It’s a jolly day 

Joe : Hurrah for Santa Claus ’cause he didn ’t forget Tim. 

Tim : Hurrah for you boys that brought me these. 

Will, Jack and Joe [together] : 

It is the blessed Christmas time; let ev’ry one 
rejoice; 

Give in the name of the Christ Child and praise 
Him with glad voice. 

“Good will upon the .earth” was the angels first 
Christmas song, 

And so today the children send this good will speed¬ 
ing along. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


21 


Tim: That’s a pretty verse, boys. 

Will: We learned it at school. [The three hoys come 
down to side of stage and stand in a group.] 

Jack: Aren’t Christmas secrets splendid? 

Joe: I’ll say they are! [They stand smiling at Tim who 
hugs his packages happily.] 

CURTAIN 


SURPRISING THE SURPRISERS 

FOR ONE BOY AND THREE GIRLS 

One girl dresses as a mother, wearing hair done up on head and 
a long skirt. The part of Uncle Henry is taken by an upper 
grade boy who wears grown-up clothes and a mustache. 

Discovered, Mrs. Gray sewing—Enter Bess and Sue 

Bess [carrying a small box] : Oh, mother, our plan is 
working just fine. 

Sue: We didn’t get as much money as we wanted, but 
we have enough to buy a dolly. 

Bess: And if it isn’t a large one I’m sure Jennie will 
love it. Don’t you think she will? 

Mrs. Gray: I am sure she will. It is a nice plan and I 
am glad you girls thought of it. 

Sue: We are going to buy the dolly tomorrow and have 
Jennie’s mother put it in her stocking. 

Bess: Think how glad poor Jennie will be to find it 
Christmas morning. [The two girls sing] : 

Tune: YANKEE DOODLE [Omit chorus.] 

The Christmas day is drawing near, 

And oh, won’t it be jolly 
To wake up early in the morn 
And find a pretty dolly ? 



22 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

To be without a doll, you know, 

Is re’lly very shocking; 

So won’t Miss Jennie be surprised 
To find one in her stocking ? 

[Girls laugh.] 

Sue: And now may we go over to Dora’s, mother? We 
want her to go with us tomorrow to buy the dolly. 

Mrs. Gray: Yes, but do not stay too long. [Girls leave 
box on the table and exeunt.] 

Enter Uncle Henry 

Uncle Henry: Well, Mary, what are you doing? 

Mrs. Gray: I am making an apron for Grandma Willis 
for Christmas. This is a busy time, but I enjoy it. 

Uncle Henry: Oh, I don’t believe in all this Christmas 
work. I don’t think it pays. Foolishness, I say. [Picks 
up the box girls left.] What’s this? 

Mrs. Gray: It is some money Bess and Sue brought 
home. A number of the school children gave it to buy 
little Jennie Dennis a doll for Christmas. Her mother 
isn’t able to get her one and Jennie is sick. 

Uncle Henry: Well, 1 don’t believe in giving presents. 

Mrs. Gray [looking off] : There goes Mrs. Lewis. I must 
ask her how her mother is. [Exit.] 

Uncle Henry [opens box] : I wonder how much money 
those children have. [Counts.] Ten, twenty, twenty- 
five, thirty-five, forty, fifty, sixty cents. Humph! Sixty 
cents won’t buy very much of a doll. [Thinks.] I—I— 
don’t believe in Christmas myself—but, well, I’d sort 
of like to see that little sick girl get a doll. [Walks 
across floor thinking.] I wish she could have a real 
nice one, I’ll declare I do. [Stops suddenly.] I know 
what I’ll do. I’m not used to such things, but I’m 
going to. [Empties money from box into his pocket, 
leaves box on table and goes off.] 

CURTAIN 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


23 


SCENE II 
Enter Bess and Sue 

Sue: Here is the box. Now we must hurry or the girls 
will he waiting. [Picks up box.] This box seems light. 

[Opens it.] W’y, our money is gone. 

Bess [looking] : Oh, who can have taken it? Oh, dear. 
[Rubs eyes.] 

Sue: Now we can’t buy Jennie’s dolly. {They sit and 
begin to cry.] 

Enter Mrs. Gray 

Mrs. Gray: Why, girls, what is the matter? What has 
happened ? 

Bess: S-s-some—one—has t-t-taken our money. [Cries.] 

Sue: So—we c-c-an’t buy—J-Jennie’s doll. [Cries.] 
Enter Uncle Henry with large package 

Uncle Henry: Well, well, what are you girls crying 
about ? 

Mrs. Gray: Someone took the money they had collected 
to buy a doll for little Jennie 

Uncle Henry: Oh! Well. [Unwraps package and shows 
a large doll. One can be borrowed for the occasion.] 
I don’t believe much in Christmas presents—but—I sort 
of wanted that sick girl to have a real nice doll. Do you 
’spose she’ll like this? 

Sue: Oh, how lovely! 

Bess: Is it really for Jennie? 

Uncle Henry: Yes, I got it with your sixty cents—and 
& little more. 

Sue: Oh, you dear Uncle Henry! 

Bess: You’re a reg’lar Santa Claus. [Sue sits and holds 
doll; Bess kneels'in front of her and fondles it; Uncle 
Henry and Mrs. Gray stand back of them . smiling.] 

CURTAIN 


24 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS 

FIFTEEN OR MORE CHILDREN . 

December wears dark suit well trimmed with evergreen and has 
green cap; Messenger Boys, dark suits trimmed with white crepe 
paper, and white caps; Snow Fairies, white dresses and stockings, 
large white bow on hair, and carry a white bag of white paper 
torn very fine for snow. The Color Elves are well trimmed with 
bright red crepe paper, have red caps and carry bows with several 
streamer ends to pin on December. The Holly Girls have dresses 
of green crepe paper and green caps; carry bunches of holly or 
evergreen. 

At center of back, leaving room behind it for the children to pass 
have an evergreen-trimmed chair for December. 

December : 

Dear me, so much sunshine does not suit me at all; 

To judge by these warm days you’d think it still was fall. 
I’ll proceed to call my messengers together, 

And notify old Winter to speed up Christmas weather. 

[Blows blast on trumpet .] 
Enter two little Messenger Boys, hastily 
First Boy : 

Here we are, December, ready for some work; 

Second Boy : 

Just tell us what to do; you’ll find we will not shirk. 

December : 

I’m quite disturbed because, tho’ Christmas time draws 
near, 

The weather stays so balmy, the snowflakes can’t appear; 
You tell Father Winter to make the North Wind blow, 
And send word up to Cloudland to furnish us some snow. 

First Boy: 

Ha, ha! That’s a task we shall be glad to do; 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


25 


Second Boy: 

Ho! Winter will wake up when he hears from you. 

[They run off.] 

December : 

There! I quite forgot to speak about the greens; 

We need lots of them to trim the Christmas scenes. 

[Blows blast on his trumpet.] 

Re-enter the two Messenger Boys, running 

First Boy : 

Are there other orders you desire to send? 

Second Boy: 

Make your wishes known—to them we will attend. 
December : 

Tell the Fairies of the Green, as you hurry by, 

Of evergreens and holly we’ll need a large supply; 

Tell the Color Elves that December said 
We must surely have a big amount of red. 

First Boy: 

All right, good December, that will soon be done; 
Second Boy: 

Ho, that isn’t work—it’s only play and fun. 

[They run out merrily.] 

December : 

Now I think that I can rest in calm content; 

Hope we get results from the orders I’ve just sent. 

[Sits in chair at back of stage.] 

Enter four or more little Snow Fairies 

They run once around the stage in a circle, then from the center 
of back run down the center of stage to front where half go to 
right, others to left, run down sides, form couples at center of 
back, run up to front and form in line, side by side. While thus 
running they occasionally toss up small handfuls of the snowflakes. 
When in line they sing: 


26 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Tune: JESUS LOVES ME, THIS I KNOW 

1 Up in Cloudland, in the sky, 

• There the tiny Snowflakes lie, 

When we hear the Christmas call, 

Down to earth we lightly fall. 

Chorus: 

During the singing of chorus they throw up snowflakes which fall 
on their heads and the floor. 

Light little Snowflakes, 

Bright little Snowflakes, 

White little Snowflakes, 

So softly, softly fall. 

2 Christmas is a merry time, 

We are glad to do onr part, 

And we hope yon all will have 
Joy of Christmas in your heart. 

Chorus as before. 

They run to right corner of front, down side and circle around 
December, throwing snowflakes on him as they pass around, then 
stand at back of stage, at December’s left. 

Enter several Fairies of the Green 

They pass to center of back [just in front of December], then up 
center to front where half pass to right, others to left, down 
sides, form couples at center of back, raising holly and holding 
it crossed, up to front, half to each side, down sides, form in line 
abreast and come up to front with holly held high. 


One Child Speaks: 

What would you do without Christmas greens 
To decorate the Yule-tide scenes? 

The holly, the pine and mistletoe, 

Now aren’t you glad we make them grow? 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 27 

All: 

Christmas would seem quite barren, we ween, 

Were it not for the Fairies of the Green. 

Another Child Speaks: 

So hang the greens high and hang them low, 

We’ve made loads and loads of them grow; 

With wreaths of holly and festoons gay 
Brighten your homes for Christmas day. 

All: 

And as you enjoy each Christmas scene, 

Remember the Fairies of the Green. 

They pass to left corner, down side, and circle around December, 
each pinning her holly on him as she passes. 

Enter the four Color Elves 

They run from left corner of back diagonally to right corner front, 
across front of stage, diagonally from left corner of front to right 
corner of back, to center of back, up center to front and form in 
line, side by side. 

One Boy Speaks: 

Don’t you think red’s a beautiful sight? 

So warm and rosy, cheerful and bright; 

The holly berries and streamers gay 
Add much to the scenes of Christmas day. 

All: 

So use lots of red, whatever you do; 

The Color Elves have made it for you. 

A Second Boy Speaks: 

Tie your green wreaths with bright hows of red, 

And hang some red hells high overhead; 

This dull old world needs a lot of cheer 
’Cause Christmas day is drawing near. 

All: 

Don’t stint on red, for we tell you true, 

We’ve made just oceans of it for you. 


28 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


They run merrily around in a circle at the right side of stage, 
pass over and run -once around in a circle at the left side, then 
down left side and passing around December two pin their streamers 
to his cap, the others pin one on each shoulder. They stand just 
back of him and Sfaowflakes, Greens and Reds all sing: 

Tune: “WORK FOR THE NIGHT IS COMING” 

We have been busy working, 

Working by day and night, 

Getting this old world ready 
For a Christmas bright; 

Soft little Flakes from Cloudland, 

Fairies of Christmas Greens, 

Elves of the brilliant scarlet, 

Cheering Christmas scenes. 

All Speak: 

We’ll say, December, we’ve done our best, 

Now Santa Claus must do the rest; 

To old and young we now would say: 

We wish you a Merry Christmas Day. 

December comes to center of stage, the others form two circles 
and dance twice around him, one circle going each direction; then 
all run from stage followed by December. 



BOASTFUL DECEMBER 

FOR TWELVE CHILDREN 

Each child dresses to represent a month, December having dark 
suit trimmed with evergreen and holly; January and February 
having dark suits trimmed with white cotton batton; March wear¬ 
ing hood and raincoat; April and May, light suits trimmed with 
light green; June, white suit much trimmed with flowers; July 
and August, thin suits, carry fans: September, dark suit trimmed 
with yellow; October, decorated with paper leaves of bright colors; 
November, dark suit, red sash, white cap, collar and cuffs. 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


29 


December [entering proudly] : 

Ha, what an important month am I! 

December, the last of the year; 

I bring the long-famed Christmas day, 

When jolly Saint Nick doth appear. 

I’m the month that furnishes folks 
Their Christmas joys and good cheer. 

January [entering quickly] : 

Oh, December, you make me tired! 

I can tell you that every one 
Of us months has our special work 
In preparing the Christmas fun; 

Without our assistance, I assure you, 

Your Christmas success would be undone. 

The Other Ten Months [running on quickly and stand¬ 
ing grouped, half at right and half at left side of 
December] : 

That’s right, you boasting December! 

We want you to know right away 
That we’ve a share in giving to folks 
The pleasures of Christmas day. 

December [scornfully] : 

Humph! That statement is a surprise. 

You’d better prove it if you’re so wise. 

February [stepping forward and howing to December] : 
February’s work is important; 

I furnish storms and wintery breeze 
To develop the hardy evergreens 
That you use for Christmas trees; 

And Yule-tide would be as dull as you please 
If folks couldn’t have their Christmas trees. 

[Steps hack to place.] 


80 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


March [each month steps forward, etc.] : 

March starts the spring rains and freshets 
To furnish the water supply 
To keep the gardens growing 
As the days of summer flit by; 

You know it would seem most extremely queer 
Not to have vegetables when Christmas is here. 

April : 

April brings the days of sheep shearing, 

When wool is clipped and sent away 
To make sweaters, caps and mittens 
For Santa to give you Christmas day; 

And to make the stockings Bess and Bill 
Hang on the wall for Santa to fill. 

May: 

May sunshine makes the fields of wheat grow 
To provide the flour to make 
The Christmas puddings, pies and rolls, 

Sweet cookies and loaves of spicy cake; 
Christmas, of course, wouldn’t seem complete 
Without a supply of these to eat. 

June: 

June is the month when Santa begins 
To make thousands of dollies fair, 

For eagerly-waiting little girls, 

Here, and there, and everywhere. 

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas at all 
Without the dollies, large and small. 

July: 

Hot July makes the sugar cane grow; 

Santa must have sugar handy 
To make the tons of sugar plums, 

Bonbons, and other Christmas candy; 

Believe me, Christmas would lose its joys 
Without the candy for girls and boys. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


31 


August : 

The sunshine of August’s sultry hours 
Makes the oranges and apples grow, 

And Santa scarce could get along 
Without their red and golden glow; 

They’re fine to eat, and a pretty sight 
In helping to make your Christmas bright. 

September : 

The golden days of bright September 
Ripen the squashes you so prize, 

The potatoes, and yellow pumpkins 
For making delicious Christmas pies; 
September’s busy from west to east, 

Helping prepare the big Christmas feast. 

October: 

Then October brings the frosty days 
When the Christmas nuts begin to fall, 

And I assure you it’s lots of work 
To supply enough for you all; 

Old and young seem to think it’s dandy 
To have Christmas nuts to go with the candy. 

November : 

You must understand, December, 

My work is not among the least, 

For I finish fattening chickens 

And turkeys for the Christmas feast; 

I am certain people would loudly sigh 
If November failed you with this supply. 

January : 

January furnishes ice and snow, 

Which is very important, because 
Boys and girls must use the skates and sleds 
That are brought them by Santa Claus; 

I should think that most anyone could see 
How much Christmas pleasure depends upon me. 


32 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


February : 

So you see, you proud December, 

That all the rest of the year 
We months are busy preparing 

For your season of Christmas cheer; 

Perhaps by this time you’re able to see 
If we didn’t help you where you would be. 

All: 

So after this, December, 

Be more humble and remember 
The success of Christmas depends on [each month 
calls out its name] January, February, March, 
April, May, June, July, August, September, 
October, November. [All.] 

As well as boastful December! 

December : 

Well! What you say is true, I’m sure, 

And I owe you much thanks, I confess, 

For the work you have been doing 

To make Christmas day a success. [Bows.] 

Thank you! 

All: 

You’re welcome, welcome, December, 

We hope you’ll always remember 
We’re glad to help you in ev’ry way, 

. ’Cause all the world loves Christmas Day. 


Choice Christmas Dialogues and Plays 

Intermediate Grades 


THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS 

FOR FIFTEEN OR MORE CHILDREN 

Primary children can be used in the candle scene if desired; less, 
children can be used by having some of the Stars also be Light 
Bearers. ^ 

COSTUMES 

The Candle children wear white, trimmed with deep yellow crepe 
paper and each carries a lighted candle; the StrARS wear white, 
trimmed with light yellow and each carries two stars fastened to 
the end of slender wires eighteen inches long; the Light Bearers 
wear coats or cloaks, trimmed with white cotton and caps, part of 
red and part green crepe paper. They carry baskets and packages 
decorated with sprays of holly or evergreen and bright crepe paper. 

STAGE ARRANGEMENT 

At back of stage arrange a fireplace and lay in it several sticks 
of wood. While the Prologue is being given pour denaturized 
alcohol over the wood and set it on fire. In front of the fireplace 
hang two curtains so that one can be drawn to each side as Pro¬ 
logue is finished, revealing fireplace with a little girl sitting at one 
side rocking a dolly. 

PROLOGUE 

Boy [enters and stands in front of curtain ] : 

Oh, the golden lights of Christmas, 

How they cheer the world with their sheen, 

And add a roseate brightness 
To many a dull Christmas scene; 

For the warm-hued lights of Christmas 
A wonderful comfor.t bestow, 

And shining into the darkness 
Set many a cold heart aglow. 

Curtains are drawn apart, revealing fireplace. * 


33 



34 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Boy [sieppuig back to stand beside fireplace ]: 

The fires in our homes at Christmas 
Make them cozy with warmth and cheer, 
Driving out the cold atmosphere 

Winter sends as Christmas draws near. 
The yule-log, cracking and blazing, 

Sends out its luminous blaze, 

And adds the snapping of embers 
To the carols of Christmas praise. 

Enter four or more girls with stars 

They stand in line in front of fireplace, facing audience. 

First Girl : 

Long years ago the stars shone down 
Upon the hills of Bethlehem, 

Where shepherds heard the Christmas song 
The throng of angels sang to them. 

Then, too, there came across the sky 
With a steady move to the West, 

The star that led the famed Wise Men, 

Who rode on a wonderful quest. 

And now at Christmas-tide the stars 
Still shine with a radiant glow, 

And twinkle messages of love, 

To the busy old world below. 

All the Stars sing: 

Tune: IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR 

Page 80 “Golden Book of Favorite Songs” 

Oh, brightly shone the Christmas stars, 

With radiant glow of old, 

As when to shepherds bowing low, 

The birth of Christ they told; 

11 Peace on the earth, good-will to men,*’ 
,From heav’n this message came, 

And so today the glowing stars 
To us this peace proclaim. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


35 


Still from the skies they twinkle down 
The wonderful song of old, 

And send to earth God’s Christmas love 
Upon their beams of gold; 

“Peace on the earth, good-will to men,” 
They flash with silent voice, 

And all who love the Christmas time 
May listen and rejoice. 


The Stars remain in line; six or more children with lighted 
candles enter and stand in front of th'e Stars. 


In our homes the Christmas candles 
Shine out with a glimmering ray, 

And do their small but constant part 
To drive Christmas sadness away; 

And so, if you, and you, and you [Point.] 

Shine like candles and will agree 
To brighten someone’s weary lot, 

Oh, how merry Christmas will be! 

The Candles kneel, close together, the others stand just back of 
them, holding their stars above the heads of those kneeling, and 
all sing: 


Tune: JOLLY OLD <SAINT NICHOLAS 

Christmas Candles, small and bright, 
Shine as best they can, 

For they know they are a part 
Of the Christmas plan; 

Stars and Candles do their best, 
Never stop to doubt— 

Dreary would our Christmas be 
If the lights went out. 


The Stars stand in a group with wires held high; the Candles 
pass around them in a circle, then exeunt, the Stars following: 


86 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Boy. [steps forward to recite] : 

The Christmas fires and candles bright, 
The Stars that glow with golden light, 
Have their own work to do; 

But there are other Christmas lights, 
Who are much less familiar sights, 

That I’ll introduce to you. 


He steps back and several boys and girls enter witli 
packages. They stand in group at center of stage, 
back are drawn together to prepare for last scene. 


First Girl: 

Yes, we are also Christmas Lights, 

For we scatter cheer with our smiles, 

And to frighten Old Gloom away 
We perform some especial wiles; 

We take some fruit to Grandma Jones, 

Or give a doll to sick Nellie; 

We give a box of candy here, 

And there a tumbler of jelly. 

We light up sad homes with our giving— 
There are many such to relieve; 

We have found it is better to give 
Unto others than to receive. 


All [sing] : Tune: 

We are glad when Christmas comes, 
For we think it’s fine 
When we find a gloomy heart, 

Just to make it shine; 

With a package and a smile 
We can carry light, 

For a gift anu kindly word 
Make a Christmas bright. 


baskets and 
Curtains at 


As above. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


37 


They pass off stage; the curtains are drawn apart revealing a sick 
child in a large chair. The Christmas Lights re-enter and each 
give some present to the child, then they stand in semi-circle back 
of child and sing again the above stanza. 

CURTAIN 


THE BOASTFUL GIANT 

CHARACTERS 

Mary Nora 

Joe Elmer 

Giant Selfishness 

SCENE—A room with chairs and a small table 
Discovered, Elmer and Joe, seated 

Joe: Are yon going to spend all the money you’ve got 
buying Christmas presents? 

Elmer : I don’t know. There are so many folks to give 
to that I won’t have much left if I get started buying. 
Enter Giant Selfishness, who stands at side, listening 

Joe: For my part, I don’t see any use in giving folks 
presents. What’s the good of it? We might as well 
spend our money on ourselves. 

Elmer: Maybe you are right; Christmas wouldn’t be 
much fun, though, if we didn’t give any presents. 

Selfishness [coming forward] : Of course he’s right. 
This idea of giving presents is foolish, very foolish. 

Elmer : Who are you, please ? 

Selfishness [ proudly ] : I am Giant Selfishness, and I 
have many subjects; indeed, I have thousands of people 
under my control. I am one of the greatest Giants in 
the world. 

Joe [admiringly] :. You must be very powerful. 



38 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

Selfishness [strikes pose and struts about ] : Indeed, I 
am. I hope yon two boys will become my subjects too, 
for Til save you a great deal of money and make you 
prosperous. 

Elmer: How do you do it? 

Selfishness: By teaching you to look out for number 
one ; to think of yourselves and not spend on other folks. 
This Christmas business is one thing I work against. 
What’s the good of giving to this and that one when 
you could save your money? 

Joe: That’s what I say. 

Elmer: But I think we ought to do something to make 
folks happy at Christmas. 

Selfishness [scoffing] : Happy ? Bosh! Make yourselves 
happy and let others look out for themselves. You just 
let me rule you and you’ll be better off. 

Joe: All right, we will. 

Elmer : Do you really have thousands of subjects who 
obey you? 

Selfishness [proudly] : I should say I do. [Looks off.] 
Now you just watch and see me get these girls on my 
side. 

Enter Mary and Nora 

Mary : Come on, boys, aren’t you going down town with 
us to get the Christmas presents? 

Selfishness [scoffing] : Buy Christmas presents? How 
silly! Of course the boys aren’t going—they look out 
for number one. 

Nora: Who are you? 

Selfishness [draws himself up and strikes pose] : I am 
Giant Selfishness and I rule so many thousands of 
subjects you couldn’t count them. 


/ 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 39 

Mary [ scornfully ] : Oh, is that so? I’ve heard of yon. 

Selfishness: Of course you have. I’m known every¬ 
where. I want to give you girls some splendid advice. 

Nora: We don’t want it. 

Joe: Shame on you to speak so. 

Selfishness [angrily ]: I am very powerful. 

Mary: We don’t care if you are. Come on boys, we are 
going down town to buy a present for little sick David 
Barnes. 

Joe: I guess—we won’t go. 

Selfishness: No, don’t go. You can’t help it if he is 
sick. You can’t spend money on all these needy folks. 
Look out for number one. 

Nora : And we want to get a book for Jennie Wilson who 
was hurt last week. 

Mary : And a toy for Bennie Maloney. 

Selfishness: Ho, ho, how silly! Don’t you know it’s 
foolish to bother about Christmas? 

Nora: Silly to be kind to people? I guess not, 

Mary: Silly to make folks happy? I guess not. 

Selfishness: Now you just let me tell you that— 

Nora: We don’t want to hear what you have to say. 

Mary: You can’t make us selfish—not at Christmas time. 

Selfishness [strutting across stage ] : You don’t realize 
how very powerful I am. 

Nora : You are not as great as you think you are. 

Mary: You can’t rule us. We are going to have a 
splendid Christmas making folks happy. 

Nora: And that will make us happy, too. 


40 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Selfishness : I guess I ’ll have to go; I have a lot of 
work to do. [Moves toward side.] 

Mary: Yes, go. [Stamps foot and points off stage.] 
Nora: We don’t want you here. [Waves him off.] 
Selfishness [to Joe] : I’m sorry for you boys. [Exit.] 
Mary: Now, let’s go. I love to buy presents. 

Joe: I’d rather make folks happy than mind old Self¬ 
ishness. 

Elmer: So would I. [All exeunt.] 


THE BROKEN PICTURE 

CHARACTERS 

Ted Cain Aunt Susan 

Mrs. Cain Grandfather Cain 

SCENE—The living room, with an easy chair and cushion 
Enter Ted with package 

Ted: I’ve got a secret and I’m not going to let any of 
the folks know it. I bought a Christmas present for 
Dorothy who lives next door and if the folks find it out 
they’ll tease me about it. It’s a picture with a glass 
and a real nice frame. I know Dorothy will like it 
’cause it’s pretty. I’m going to write on it. [Sits 
and writes on outside of package.] Now she’ll know 
who gave it to her. [Jumps up.] Oh, somebody’s com¬ 
ing! Where can I hide this? I’ll put it under the 
cushion and take it out as soon as they’ve gone. [ Quickly 
hides picture under cushion of easy chair.] 

Enter Mrs. Cain 

Mrs. Cain : Ted, your Uncle Will is out here with the 
car and says if you want to go over to Clifton with him 
to come jump in. 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


41 


Ted: Oh, a ride over to Clifton! That will suit me just 
fine. Good-bye mother. [He runs out.] 

Mrs. Cain: I’d like to go myself but there is too much 
to do for Christmas. I’ll have to look at my cake this 
minute. [Hurries out.] 

Enter Grandfather 

Grandfather: Well, I guess I’ll sit down an’ read the 
paper a few minutes. Got to kind of keep an eye on 
what’s going on in the world. [Gets paper and sits 
down heavily in the easy chair.] Dear me, seems like 
I heard something crack. Wonder if there’s something 
under this cushion. [Gets up, lifts cushion and finds 
package.] Land sakes a-livin ’! I sure busted somethin’. 
[Looks at package and reads aloud.] From Ted to 
Dorothy, Merry Christmas. Ha, ha! So that young 
rascal’s givin ’ Dorothy a present, is he ? [ Unwraps paper 
enough to see picture.] A picture an’ I broke the glass 
plum’ across. Well, I’ll go right down town now an’ 
get another one an ’ Ted won’t know I broke this. [Puts 
package back under the cushion and goes out.]- 

Enter Aunt Susan 

Aunt ; Susan: Getting ready for Christmas is lots of 
work. I’m jest all tired out. [Sighs.] I’m goin’ to sit 
down an’ rest awhile—shan’t even knit on those mittens 
for Ted, though I ought to be gettin’ ’em done, I ’spose. 
[She drops down into easy chair.] Well, my sakes, it 
sounded jest as if something broke when I sat down. 
What can be under this cushion? [Gets up and lifts 
cushion.] A package—now what can it be? [Recids 
writing aloud.] From Ted to Dorothy, Merry Christ¬ 
mas. Well, if that young scamp isn’t getting smart— 
giving presents to girls! [She opens package enough to 
see the picture.] A pretty picture an’ I’ve broke the 
glass in four pieces. They’ve got some like this at the 
Racket store; I’ll go right down now an’ get another 
one. [Puts package back and hurries out.] 


42 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


• Enter Mrs. Cain 

Mrs. Cain: My cake is baked and on the pantry shelf; 
looks as if it’ll be real good. Now I’ll sit down an’ sew 
on that apron for Aunt Hester. [Gets her sewing and 
drops down into easy chair.] That’s queer! Sounded 
like something cracked when I sat down. Wonder if 
somebody put something under this cushion. [Gets up, 
lifts cushion and finds package .] The very idea of put¬ 
ting this here—might have known it would get busted. 
[Beads aloud.] From Ted to Dorothy, Merry Christmas. 
Well if he isn’t a sly one, never telling us a word about 
it. [Unwraps package enough to see picture.] Now, 
isn’t this pretty? I’ve cracked the glass in a dozen 
pieces. Thank goodness, they’ve got a lot of these down 
at the store; I’ll go right over now an’ get another one. 
I won’t let Grandfather an ’ Susan know ’bout it ’cause 
they’d tease Ted. [Re-wraps package , puts it under 
cushion and goes out.] 

CURTAIN 

SCENE II—Room as before 
Enter Ted, hastily 

Ted: I went off in such a hurry I forget ’bout my pic¬ 
ture for Dorothy an’ left it under the cushion. I won¬ 
der if it’s all right. [Takes package from under cushion 
and unwraps it.] Oh, botheration! Smashed into forty 
pieces. Well, I ’spose it serves me right for leaving it 
here. What am I going to do now? Here comes some¬ 
one. [Hastily puts package back under cushion.] 
Enter Grandfather with package 
Grandfather : You can’t guess what I’ve got here. Truth 
is, I sat down on something you left under that cushion 
an’ broke the glass. I kind of thought Dorothy wouldn’t 
want a busted present, so I went down an’ got another 
one like it. Better hide this in a safe place. We won’t 
say anything ’bout it to the others ’cause they might 
tease you ’bout it. [Gives package to Ted and goes out.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


43 


Ted: Say, lie’s a good sport; never teased me a bit. Here 
comes somebody. [He lays both packages under a paper 
on the table.] 

Enter Aunt Susan [Carries package .] 

Aunt Susan : Oh, Ted, did you find your package ? 
Wasn’t it terrible? I sat down on it an’ broke it in a 
dozen pieces. But never mind, I went down and bought 
another one just like it. It won’t matter a bit. [Gives 
him package.] I think Dorothy’ll like it real well. We 
won’t tell the others, then they won’t tease you. [Beams 
upon him , gives him the package and goes out.] 

Ted: Well, she’s alright—never laughed at me a bit. 
What’ll I do with two of ’em? [Slips package under 
paper with the others.] 

Enter Mrs. Cain with package 

Mrs. Cain : Teddy, what made you leave that picture 
under the cushion ? Of course it would get broken; I 
sat on it and smashed it into forty pieces. I went down 
to the store an’ got another one just like it so it’s alright. 
[Gives him package.] I think iCs real nice of you to 
give it to Dorthy. 

Ted [Laughs heartily] : If this isn’t the funniest thing. 
[Laughs again.] 

Enter Grandfather and Aunt Susan 

Grandfather [looking at package'] : Did you tell your 
ma ’bout the picture I broke? 

Aunt Susan: That you broke? W’y, 1 broke it. 

Mrs. Cain [to Aunt Susan] : You didn’t break it; I did. 

Grandfather: No, I broke it an’ bought another one. 

Aunt Susan [very firmly] : No, I broke it an’ bought 
another one. 

Mrs. Cain: Well, I broke it myself an’ bought another 

one. 


J 




44 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Ted [ laughing ] : Yes, here they are. [Shows the three 
packages. Laughs.] Wha’s going to have these two 
extra ones? 

Grandfather: Well, I’ll declare! 

Aunt Susan: v The very idea! 

Mrs. Cain: Aren’t we the limit? [All laugh heartily as 
curtain falls.] 

NOTE—A small pain of glass can be used for the picture. 


HOW EDITH FOUND CHRISTMAS 


CHARACTERS 

Edith, lonely little rich girl 
Sims, the butler 

kSdness } Christmas fairies 
Ben ) 

Chub V Happy poor children 
Laura ) 


Toots 

Buddie 


j- Little orphans 


STAGE ARRANGEMENT 

In the first scene a large easy chair, table with books, candy and 
nuts, several dolls, toys and dish of fruit give the appearance of a 
well-to-do home. 


In the ® e cond scene the room is bare except for some common chairs 
old pa'l 6 ° n s t an( L a branch of evergreen planted in an 

Fairies dress in white, one trimmed with red, the other green crepe 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


45 


SCENE I — In Edith’s home 
Discovered, Edith standing by the table 

Edith: Oh, dear, I’m so lonesome I don’t know what to 
do. Papa and mama had to go away this morning be¬ 
cause auntie is very sick, so I’m left all alone on Christ¬ 
mas day. I have a lot of presents but I can’t play with 
them when I’m so lonesome. This is the worst Christ¬ 
mas I’ve ever had—I just don’t know what to do. I 
feel so bad—I—can’t help—crying. [She goes to chair, 
sits and cries, then lays head back and goes to sleep.] 

Enter Christmas fairies 

Love: Here is a little girl who has been crying because 
she is lonesome. Isn’t that too bad, when every child 
should be happy on Christmas day? I feel very sorry 
for her. Can we comfort her in any way? 

Kindness: Just see all the nice things on the table. I 
suppose she got them for Christmas. What a pity she 
can’t be happy when she has so many presents. See 
the pretty dolls. 

Love: And see what a lot of fruit and nuts and candy. 
Wouldn’t Chub and Laura be glad to have some of it 
for their party? How little Toots would like one of 
these dolls. 

Kindness: Wouldn’t it be fine if this lonely little girl 
could go to the Christmas party at Chub’s house? I’m 
sure she would have a nice time. 

Love: Wouldn’t if be splendid if she could go and take 
some of the nice things that are here ? She could spare 
them as well as not. 

Kindness : , She is so lonely I think we ought to—to— 

Love: To suggest to her that she find a Merry Christmas? 

Kindness : Yes, let’s do it. [They stand near the chair 
in which Edith sleeps and sing]: 


46 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Tune: JINGLE BELLS 

In a cottage small, 

On the street beside the mill, 

You can happy be, so happy if you will; 

A Christmas party gay 
They’re having there today, 

If you’re lonely, go over there 
Their Christmas joys to share. 

Don’t delay, haste away, 

To that cottage small; 

Gladly they will welcome you 
' If you just obey our call. 

Don’t delay, haste away, 

You’ll find pleasure there; 

Merry shall your Christmas be 
If your bounties you but share. 

Love: I hope she will go. 

Kindness: I think she will. Let us hurry off before she 
wakes. [ They run out.] 

Edith [sits up, yawns and rubs eyes ] : Oh, I had the 
nicest dream! Two dear little fairies came and told me 
to go to a little house where I can have a merry Christ¬ 
mas. It was so real I wish I could go. Where was it? 
Oh, yes, down by. the mill. I’m sure I can find the 
place. The fairies said I was to share my good things so 
I’m sure some poor family lives there who would like 
some of my toys and candy. [Thinks.] I’ll get Sims 
to help me. [Goes over and rings bell.] 

Enter Sims 

Sims : Is there something you want, Miss Edith ? 

Edith : Oh, Sims, I am so lonesome. 

Sims : Yes, Miss, I think it is a shame, I do, that you 
have to be here alone on Christmas day. You ought to 
have somebody come in, now, to play games with you 
and eat candy. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


47 


Edith : I’m tired of candy and I don’t want to play games. 
I want to go somewhere. 

Sims : Dear me, Miss, now where would you go on Christ¬ 
mas day? Marie might take you to the movies when 
she comes hack. 

Edith : Oh, I ’m tired of shows. Sims, will you do some¬ 
thing for me? 

Sims: Yes, Miss, that is, if it’s something your folks 
won’t mind about me doing, an’ it don’t take too much 
time an’ bother. 

Edith : Please go down the back way to the mill and 
see who lives in the little house beside it and see what 
they are doing. 

Sims: Well, Miss, that’s a funny thing to do; but it 
won’t take me long an’ seein’ as it’s Christmas an’ 
you’re havin’ a dull time, I’ll go. 

Edith : , Please hurry. 

Sims: Yes, Miss. [Goes out.] 

Edith: Now, I’m going to get ready for the party. [She 
runs off and comes back with a large basket arid some red 
tissue paper. She cuts strips and trims the basket, then 
fills it with two dolls, some toys, candy, fruit, etc., from 
the table. She laughs and has a merry time dorng so.] 

Enter Sims 

Sims: Well, Miss Edith, I found out ’bout ’em. It’s a 
little bit of a place where a poor family lives, an’ there’s 
nobody there but some children an’ they’re gettm’ ready 
for a party an’ trimmin’ up a tiny little sprig for a 
Christmas tree, ’bout knee-high to a grasshopper, an’ 
nothing to put on it by the looks of things. 

Edith [claps her hands] : Oh, how splendid! That s just 
where I want to go. Sims, will you do something more 
for me? 


48 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Sims: Now, Miss, I don’t know. I’m ’fraid I’ll be gettin’ 
in bad with your folks when they find out. What is it 
you want ? 

Edith: I’ve got a basket all packed with presents and 
some things to eat. I’m going down to that house to a 
Christmas party and I want you to bring the basket 
down after a while. Will you? 

Sims: Now, Miss, I don’t think your folks want you 
to— 

Edith : Sims, you know very well we ought to help make 
folks happy at Christmas. Oh, Sims, can’t you dress 
up like Santa and come in with the things for them? 
Oh, please, please! 

Sims: Well, now, I—I—seein’ as it’s Christmas an’ you’re 
so set on it, maybe I might, but I’m not promisin’ sure. 

Edith: Oh, goody, goody! I’m going now. [She runs 
out.] 

Sims: Dear, dear, what am I gettin’ into? Well, Christ¬ 
mas is Christmas an’ it comes but once a.year. [Stands 
by the table and eats candy.] 

CURTAIN 


SCENE II—In the little cottage 
Discovered, Ben, Chub and Laura 
Laura: Ain’t our party goin’ to be grand? 

Chub: I’ll say it is, with this fine Christmas tree. 

Ben: Won’t Toots an’ Buddie be s’prised? 

Laura: Oh, I guess they will. They’ll think Christmas 
is splendid. Only I do wish we had a doll to give Toots. 
[Sighs.] She’d love a doll. [Knock is heard. Chub 
runs over and admits visitor.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


49 


✓ 


Enter Edith 

Edith: How do you do? I’m Edith and I’ve come to 
your Christmas party because I was so lonesome I cried. 
May 1 stay with you ? 

Chub: Course you can. We’re gettin’ up a party for 
Toots an’ Buddie. [Edith takes off her coat and hat.] 

Laura: ’Cause their ma is awful sick an’ they can’t have 
any Chris’mas at their house. 

Chub: We can’t have much Chris’mas at our house 
either, ’cause our ma has to stay an’ take care of their 
ma, but we’ve got a sack of popcorn. 

Ben: An’ we’ve got two sticks of candy for each one of 
us. I’ll let you have some of mine. 

Laura: An’ Chub made a nice top for Buddie that can 
spin. 

Chub: An’ we’ve got a string of beads for Toots. 

Edith: That will be fine. Wouldn’t she like a doll? 

Laura: Oh, she’d just love a doll, but we didn’t have 
money to get none. 

Edith : Maybe Santa Claus will bring one— I ’m most sure 
he will. 

Chub: No, he woii’t. Santy won’t bring us anything, 
ma said so. We’re so poor he can’t. We’re dreadful 
poor. 

Ben: ’Cause our pa is dead an’ our ma has to work an’ 
it takes so much money with all us childern. 

Laura [happily] : But we’ve got a Christmas tree. Ain’t 
it splendid? Chub got it from a man who cut it off his 
tree ’cause it was so big. 

Chub: We didn’t have much to trim it with but it looks 
real nice I think. We made roses out’n red paper Laura 
found. 


50 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

Ben : An’ Chub made the star out’n a piece of tin. Don’t 
it look nice? An’ we’ve got some cookies. [Laughs.] 
I like Chris’mas. 

Laura: I think it’s time for Toots an’ Buddie to come. 
[Looks off.] Oh, here they come. [Children run over.] 

Enter Toots and Buddie 

Toots: We can stay a long time an’ play. [Sees tree.] 
Oh, oh, a Christmas tree. [Claps hands.] Buddie, ain’t 
it pretty? 

Buddie: Oh, it’s—aw-ful pretty. [Gazes'at it.] Is it got 
presents on for ns? 

Chub: I guess there’ll be something for you, Buddie, 
’cause you’ve been a good hoy 

Toots: An’ I hope they’s somethin’ for me. 

Laura: I’m sure there is. 

Ben [hopping about happily] : An’ mebbe a stick of 
candy, too. 

Toots: Oh, goody, goody! 

Chub: Now, I guess it’s time to get our presents off’n 
the tree. 

Edith : No, let’s wait a little and see if Santa Claus won’t 
come with some more things for you. Sometimes he has 
so much to do he can’t come till late. 

Chub: Aw, I told you he wouldn’t come here. [Knock 
is heard.] 

Edith : I think he ’s coming now. 

Enter Sims, dressed as Santa, carrying the basket 

Sims [puts basket back of tree where Edith can unpack 
it] : Well, mebbe you didn’t expect Santy Claus, but 
I’m here an’ I hope you’re glad to see me. [The chil¬ 
dren stare at him breathlessly.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


51 


Chub : Oh—a—real—Santy Claus. 

Laura: You didn’t mean to come here, did you, Santy? 

Sims: Sure, now, I did. You sit down an’ I’ll tell you 
’bout it. [He has children sit with their backs to the 
tree. Edith quickly ties presents on tree and places 
them beside it.] I had so many places to go that I got 
so tired I fell asleep an’ slept so long that I’m jest 
gettin’ to you now. I hope you don’t care ’cause I’m 
late. 

Ben [anxiously] : Did—you—bring us— somethin’? 

Sims: You look an’ see. [Points. They all look at tree, 
laugh delightedly and dance about.] 

Edith: Isn’t this a splendid Christmas? 

Laura: Oh, I see—a—doll! Won’t Toots be glad? 

Edith: There’s one for you too. Are you glad? 

Laura: Oh, I want a doll worst of anything, but if they’s 
only one Toots must have it. 

Edith: Now Santa Claus will take things off the tree for 
you, then after he has gone we’ll have dinner and play 
games. Won’t that be fun? 

Ben: This is the best Chris’mas we’ve ever had. 

Edith: And it’s a merry one for me, too. [Aside.] Just 
as the fairies said. [Sims gives out presents, children 
laughing as curtain goes down.] 

CURTAIN . 


52 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


HERBERT’S DISCOVERY 

FOR ONE OLDER BOY AND ONE LITTLE BOY 

SCENE : Living room, well furnished. Fireplace in back¬ 
ground, but no stockings hanging up 

Enter Santa Claus with huge pack of toys 

Santa Claus [in jolly tone] : Ho! Ho! Ho! Here I am 
at last. Now, to work. Why—! [in tone of surprise 
and dismay] Where are the stockings? There ought 
to be some here! I am quite sure that this house was 
down on my books as containing a boy eight years old. 
But it would be impossible, unbelievable! that there 
could exist on the earth an eight-year-old boy who did 
not hang up a stocking. I can not understand that 
at all. 

Enter little Herbert in pajamas. He stares with open 
eyes and mouth at Santa Claus 

Santa Claus [severely] : What do you mean, young man, 
by acting like this? Explain yourself, sir. 

Herbert [dazedly] : Wh—wh—what ? 

Santa Claus: Don’t you realize that when I come to 
anybody’s house, on purpose to fill a stocking to the 
brim with all kinds of toys and goodies, I like to find a 
stocking to fill ? Why didn’t you hang one up ? 

Herbert: I didn’t know I was ’sposed to. 

Santa Claus: Didn’t know you were supposed to! 
Didn’t know you were supposed to! Well, what is this 
world coming to, anyhow? Who ever heard of a boy 
who didn’t know he was supposed to hang up his stock¬ 
ing on Christmas Eve! Christmas Eve—think of it! 
And no stocking! [Commandingly .] Get one imme¬ 

diately. [Exit boy. Santa Claus walks fiercely up and 
down stage, muttering.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


53 


Enter Herbert with armful of stockings 

Herbert [ solemnly ] : These are all I have. Will they 
be enough? 

Santa Claus: Well, of all astounding things! Ho! Ho! 
Ho! Ha 1 Ha! Ha! You’re the most comical case I ever 
saw. [More gently.] Bless your poor little heart! 
Come, and I’ll tell you all about it. [Sits down in a 
chair and takes Herbert on his knee.] 

Santa Claus: You see, I’m Santa Claus. For ages and 
ages, ever since there have ever been any little boys or 
girls, they have always belonged to me. After they grow 
to be men and women, I don’t bother so much about 
them; but as long as they’re little, I think of them all 
the time. But, of course, having so many—just think 
how many, many children there are in the whole world, 
Herbert —I can not be with any of them very often. 
So I spend my time making things for them, and come 
once a year, every Christmas Eve, to give them the 
things. I love all children, and all children love me. 
At least I always thought before that they did; but you 
didn’t seem to. Didn’t even know what my business 
was. 

Herbert: But I do now. I think you’re the nicest man 
I ever saw in my life. My father’s nice, but I don’t see 
him very much. 

Santa Claus: Doesn’t he live with you? 

Herbert: No, he sings at places. He’s in a place called 
Italy now. i haven’t any mother. My Aunt Sarah 
takes care of me here. She’s a pretty old lady, and I 
guess maybe she doesn’t know about you. I read about 
you in a book I have, but Aunt Sarah told me that I 
was foolish and that it wasn’t true. She’s so old, maybe 
she’s forgotten about the time when you used to love 
her. I don’t think she would tell a story, for once I 
heard my father say that she was a good woman. He 
said, too, that she was a practical woman. Does “prac¬ 
tical” mean forgetting about Santa Claus. 


54 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Santa Claus: Yes, yes, that’s what it means. Being 
practical means forgetting about Santa Claus. 

Herbert: Then I’m never going to be practical, ’cause 
I’m never, never going to forget you. Not if I live to be 
a hundred-year-old man. 

Santa Claus : All right! All this time was well spent 
if it has made you say that. May you stick to it! [Sets 
child down on floor.] Now, you run and take that ridicu¬ 
lous pile of stockings back to your room. Give me just 
one. [Exit Herbert. Santa Claus fills stocking and 
then hangs it by fireplace. Exit Santa Claus by one 
door as boy enters by another. Sound of sleighbells 
outside.] 

Herbert : Oh, he’s gone! But I know I didn’t dream it, 
’cause I hear his bells going away. And here is my 
stocking full of things! I’ve always had all I wanted, 
but this is the best way to get things I ever heard of. 
I ’ll never miss hanging up my stocking after this, on 
Christmas Eve. [Herbert takes stocking, sits down on 
floor, and begins to empty it. Delighted exclamations.] 

CURTAIN 


THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

FOR TWELVE OR MORE CHILDREN 
STAGE ARRANGEMENT 

At center of back have a screen or curtain which can be drawn 
for manger scene. There must be room back of this curtain for a 
rude manger beside which Mary sits while Joseph stands at the 
other side. At one side of stage have a small table with a cur¬ 
tain coming just past the farther end of it, so the angel can get 
on the table back of the curtain and step forward in view of 
audience. 


COSTUMES 

Three boys dress as Shepherds with loose robes, flowing head¬ 
dresses and crooks; one boy dresses as Prophet with lono- robe, 
long white whiskers (can be of crepe paper cut very fine) and a 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


55 


turban. A tall girl with flawing white robe, takes part of Angel. 
Wings can be of white crepe paper on a wire frame; hair should 
be worn flowing. Miss Christmas dresses in white trimmed with 
bright red and wears a tiara made of wire wound with tinsel. 
Mary and Joseph costumed as shown in Bible pictures. 


The children, including Prophet and Shepherds, begin to sing just 
before entering stage. They pass diagonally from corner of back 
to opposite corner front, across front of stage, diagonally from 
front to opposite corner of back, then form in two lines across 
back of stage. They sing while marching (should march slowly) 
and finish the song while halting across back: 


Tune: “ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS” 

Come ye, come ye, children, marching as we sing; 
Joyful and exultant, let our voices ring; 

Christmas time is drawing near, banish care and woe, 
Hearts a-light and faces bright, singing now we go. 
Merry, Merry Christmas, greeting now we bring; 
Merry, Merry Christmas, praise to thee we sing. 


During the second stanza they march to front of stage abreast, 
in two rows, pass up right side of stage and again form two rows 
across the back where they finish the words. 


Come ye, come ye, children, as we march along, 

Join with ours your voices in a happy song; 
Christmas time is drawing neap, birthday of the King, 
Peace on earth, good will to men, joyously we sing. 

[Refrain as before.] 


A Girl [stepping out and looking off]: 

Oh, Miss Christmas is coming! 

I see her drawing near. 
Together let us greet her 
With voices of glad cheer. 


56 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLATS 


They sing again, very heartily, the refrain; Miss Christmas 
enters as they begin, walks slowly across stage to corner of front 
wh'ere she stands, half facing children. 

A Boy [ stepping out toward Miss Christmas] : 

We welcome you, dear Miss Christmas; 

We are glad that you are here. 

We were getting most impatient 
For our Favorite to appear. 

[Returns to 'place.] 

Miss Christmas: Thank you, dear children, for your kind 
greeting. I am glad to be with you again for I love 
the boys and girls* with their bright faces and sunny 
smiles. I am glad you enjoy Christmas day because 
it is the birthday of the babe of Bethlehem. Who can 
tell me the Old Testament prophecy of the birth of 
Christ? 

Prophet [stepping forward] : 

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little 
among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come 
forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel. 

‘ ‘ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: 
and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his 
name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty 
God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’’ 

Miss Christmas : Now can you tell me the story of the 
first Christmas? 

• All : And she brought forth her first-born son, and 
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a 
manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. 
[The three Shepherds come to front of stage and sit.] 

And diere were in the same country Shepherds 
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by 
night. [The Angel comes into view upon the table.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 57 

All : And, lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, 
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and 
they were sore afraid. [Shepherds bow faces to floor.] 
And the Angel said unto them: 

Angel [raising hand and extending toward Shepherds] : 
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great 
joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born 
this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ 
the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall 
find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a 
manger. 

Miss Christmas : And suddenly there was with the Angel 
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and 
saying: 

All: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the 
Angels were gone away from them into heaven [the 
Angel withdraws; the Shepherds rise and look at each 
other], the Shepherds said one to another: 

One of the Shepherds : Let us now go even unto Bethle¬ 
hem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the 
Lord hath made known unto us, [The Shepherds pass 
to side of stage and then to the back and stand behind 
the others.] 

All sing two stanzas of “iSILEN'T NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT” 

Half of the children move to each side of stage, stand¬ 
ing along the side, half facing the back, leaving the Shep¬ 
herds standing at the back. 

Miss Christmas: And the Shepherds came with haste, 
and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a 
manger.. [Curtain is drawn, showing the scene. A large 
doll can be used for the babe. The Shepherds kneel. 
All sing Luther’s Hymn] : 


t 


58 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Tune: “FLOW GENTLY, SWEET AFTON” 

(First part only) , 

“Away in a manger no crib for a bed, 

The little Lord Jesus lay down his dear head; 

The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay. 
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. 

“The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, 

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes; 

I love, Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, 
And stay by my bedside till morning is nigh. ’ ’ 

Miss Christmas : Let us treasure in our hearts the beauti¬ 
ful story of the first Christmas day. The baby Jesus 
came to bring good will and love to the earth and at 
Christmas time our hearts should be filled with a love 
for those about us. Remember that while Christmas is 
a merry day, it is also the day for you to share your 
joys and bring happiness to someone near you. 

All : For it is more blessed to give than to receive. 

CURTAIN 


DOING AWAY WITH CHRISTMAS 

FIVE GIRLS AND FIVE BOYS 

COSTUMES 

Fourth of July, boy trimmed with flags and bunting; Valentine’s 
Day, girl trimmed with red hearts; Hallowe’en, girl dressed as 
witch, trimmed with bats and black cats cut from paper; Thanks¬ 
giving, boy dressed as Puritan; Lights, girl trimmed with red 
crepe paper and carrying candle; Greens, girl trimmed with ever¬ 
green or holly; Stockings, boy decorated with stockings of various 
sizes and colors; Tree, 'boy carrying a branch of evergreen; Ruth 
and Joe, ordinary school clothes. 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


59 


SCENE—Ordinary stage 
Discovered, Ruth, sewing 

Ruth [crossly] : I’m just as tired as I can be of making 
Christmas presents. I’ve made handkerchiefs and hags 
and hemmed aprons and made Joe a necktie and it’s 
no fun. I wish we could do away with Christmas, so I 
do. The other holidays don’t make us so much work 
and there are enough of them so that we don’t need 
Christmas. I think I’ll write a letter to the president 
and get him to do away with Christmas entirely. 

Enter Miss Valentine 

Valentine: Say, that’s a fine idea! I don’t see a bit 
of need of Christmas. There are enough of us without 
that holiday. For my part, I think Valentine’s Day 
is fine and if people didn’t fuss so over Christmas they 
could pay more attention to me. You know yourself 
that it is lovely to get pretty Valentines. I am very 
willing to help you do away with Christmas. 

Ruth : That is kind of you. 

Enter Fourth of July 

Fourth of July: Here comes another one who thinks 
it will be all right to get along without Christmas. Say, 
the way folks wear themselves out getting ready for 
that holiday makes me weary. Now Fourth of July 
is different; you can hang up flags and bunting and 
make a lot of racket without spending so much time 
beforehand. Folks ought to pay a lot more attention 
to me than they do, and if there wasn’t any Christmas 
maybe they’d do it. I’m willing to join in this work 
you are talking of starting. 

Ruth : Thank you, Fourth of July. 

Enter Hallowe’en 

Hallowe’en: Here is another who comes to offer her 
service. The young folks always have lots of fun 
Hallowe’en night, and I, for one, think the day should 


60 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


be more popular than it is. I am one of the old, old 
holidays and folks celebrated me long years ago. I think 
it will be sensible to do away with Christmas and I’m 
willing to help yon. 

Ruth: Good for you, Hallowe’en. 

Enter Thanksgiving 

Thanksgiving: Well, here’s the one who ought to be 
interested in getting rid of Christmas. Very often 
Thanksgiving has to be slighted because Christmas is 
coming so soon and brings so much work that folks can’t 
observe me as they should. Every one will agree that 
I am very important and if there is one holiday the 
nation should not slight it is Thanksgiving; so I am 
ready to help you work against Christmas. I never 
could understand why people seem to think it is so 
important. 

Ruth: If you all help me we ought to get Christmas 
wiped off the calendar quite easily. 

Valentine’s Hay: Sure. 

Fourth of July: It won’t be at all difficult. 

Hallowe’en : People will be glad to get rid of the Christ¬ 
mas work. 

Thanksgiving: And then, as I have long deserved to be, 
/ shall be the important holiday of the year. 

Valentine’s Hay: Oh, no, I think, if I help with this 
plan, I should become the most important. I’m so senti¬ 
mental, you know. 

Fourth of July : Oh, come now! I was planning to 
step into Christmas’ place of notoriety. With all my 
ffoise and patriotism I’m sure I am the one for it. 

Hallowe’en : Pardon me, but I’m sure I am the one the 
young people will want to make very prominent in the 
place of Christmas. I can’t tell you how they enjoy 
the witchery and spooky frolics I bring. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


61 


Thanksgiving : No, no, I am the great American holiday 
and I insist that I be given the most noted place among 
the holidays. 

Valentine’s Day: I’m sorry to seem stubborn, but I 
insist that I have first place. 

Fourth of Jjjly : I feel it is my duty to insist that I be 
first. 

Hallowe’en : As I just explained, 7 am the one to become 
first. 

Ruth : Well, dear me, I don’t know what we are going 
to do. I didn’t suppose we’d get into such trouble. 

Valentine’s Day: There will be no trouble; merely let 

\ me be first. 

Fourth of July: It’s very simple; just let me take first 
place among the holidays. 

Hallowe’en: It’s easily settled by letting me be first. 

Thanksgiving : The only way is to give it to the one that 
deserves it and 7— 

Valentine’s Day: No, 7. 

Fourth of July [loudly] : No, 7. 

Ruth : Please do not quarrel. The first thing is to banish 
Christmas. 

Enter girl with candle 

Lights : I hear you have planned to do away with Christ¬ 
mas. The Yexy idea! You know very well that Christ¬ 
mas is the best day of the year and folks won’t give it 
up. We Lights won’t agree to the plan because we 
just love to shine at Christmas time. We are very cheer¬ 
ful as we send out our golden glow, and everyone enjoys 
us. You can’t banish Christmas. 


62 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

Enter Greens 

Greens: What’s this I hear about doing away with 
Christmas? Say, that’s a dreadful plan. You’ll cause 
a revolution if you try to carry it out, because the chil¬ 
dren think it’s the best day of the year. We Greens 
won’t stand for it because we do love to decorate homes 
and make them look festive at Christmas time. We are 
a strong force because there are lots of us and we’ll 
fight this plan, I assure you. 

Lights: Sure we will. 

Enter Stockings 

Stockings: I just heard the craziest thing—that you’re 
trying to do away with Christmas. I can’t see who 
would start such a foolish plan. The children wouldn’t 
miss Christmas and a chance to hang up their stockings 
for anything. I want to say that we Stockings will 
fight that idea because we think the most fun of the 
year is to be hung up and filled with Christmas presents. 
We’ll fight this scheme. 

Lights and Greens: We surely will. 

Enter Boy with Christmas branch 

Boy: I just heard of your plan to do away with Christ¬ 
mas. I came right over to tell you it can’t be done. 
The very idea of not having a day for Christmas trees. 
Don’t you know there’s nothing lovelier than a green tree 
shining with candles and loaded with presents? You 
needn’t think the children will give us up and we Christ¬ 
mas trees, who are so proud of being trimmed up and 
filled with pretty gifts, will fight your plan as hard as 
we can. 

Lights, Greens and Stockings : And so shall we. 

Enter Joe excitedly 

Joe: What’s this I hear about doing away with Christ¬ 
mas? Don’t you know that if you do that there won’t 
be any chance for Santa Claus to come? Think of not 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


63 


having any good old Santa Claus. This would be a 
dull old world without him. All the children love the 
fat old fellow with his jolly smile. You drop this plan 
right away. 

Valentine ’s Day : It will be all right if I can be the 
leading holiday. 

Fourth of July: If I can be first, it won’t matter. 

Hallowe’en [scornfully to Valentine’s Day and Fourth 
of July] : You two make me tired! Now I can take 
Christmas’ place all right. 

Thanksgiving: Santa Claus could come on Thanksgiving 
day, then folks would be thankful for their presents. 
That’s a fine idea. 

Joe: Now look here, each of you days is all right in your 
place, but you can’t take the place of Christmas day. 
Who started this plan, I’d like to know? 

Ruth: Well, I did. I’m tired of making Christmas 
presents. 

Joe: Then stop making them, but don’t try to spoil th# 3 
best day of the year. 

Lights, Greens, Stockings and Branch sing: 

Tune: SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT 

Christmas Light, Christmas Light, 

Beaming clear, shining bright; 

With a cheerful glimmer they say, 

“Keep the blessed Christmas day, 

Celebrate it alway, celebrate it alway.” 

Christmas Greens, Christmas Greens, 

Brightening the Christmas scenes; 

Silently the shining Greens say, 

“Keep the blessed Christmas day, 

Do not banish it ’way, do not banish it ’way.” 


64 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

Stockings of toys, Stockings of toys, 

Gifts for girls, gifts for boys; 

Trees and Stockings clearly say, 

‘ ‘ Children love the Christmas day, 

Keep it ever we pray, keep it ever we pray.” 

Joe: Of course we’ll keep Christmas day; can’t get along 
without it. We’ve got to have the merry time when 
Santa Claus comes. [He sings] : 

Tune: MY MARYLAND 

There is a man who’s very dear, 

Santa Claus, good Santa Claus; 

He brings us presents ev’ry year, 

Santa Claus, good Santa Claus. 

From snowy Northland, far away, 

He comes to brighten Christmas day, 

And Christmas day must stay for aye, 

Day of good old Santa Claus. 

Lights, Greens, Stockings and Branch: Can’t get along 
without Christmas and that’s a fact! 

Ruth: Come to think it over, I don’t want to give up 
Christmas. It really is the best day of the year. 

Lights, Greens, Stockings and Branch*. Sure it is! 

Valentine’s Day: Yes, but as I said— 

Fourth op July [ interrupting ] : If 1 could just have a 
chance to— 

Hallowe’en [interrupting] : Folks would like me as well 
if— 

Thanksgiving [interrupting] : As I said, If Santa Claus 
could come on Thanksgiving day and— 

Joe [interrupting] : As 7 said, we need each of you, but 
we can’t get along without Christmas. You may as 
well understand, that— 

Joe, Ruth, Lights, Greens, Stockings and Branch: 
We’ll never, never do away 
With our merry Christmas day. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


65 


MERRY CHRISTMAS JAKE 

CHARACTERS 
Jake, a newsboy 

Ned In iv r Ella 5 . 

^Scolding boys J>Discontented girls 

Tim J 47 Mary J 8 

Enter Ned 

Ned [crossly] : I ’spose 1,’ve got to go down to the store 
and find some presents for my folks. It’s an awful 
bother to get ready for Christmas. I don’t know what 
to get for ’em an’ when I get in the store there’ll be so 
many things to buy I won’t be able to tell which I want. 
I’ll be glad when Christmas is over. 

Enter Jake, carrying papers and whistling 

Jake: I hope I sells all my papers today. [Whistles.] 

Ned: You seem happy. 

Jake: Happy? Course I be—ain’t this the time when 
folks should be merry? 

Ned: I don’t feel very merry; I’ve got to fool away half 
the afternoon buying presents. That’s not much fun 
when the skating is good. 

Jake: I’ve bought some presents already. I think it’s 
heaps o’ fun. If I sells all my papers today I’m goin' 
to buy Maggie’s present tonight. 

Ned: Who’s Maggie? Your sister? 

Jake: Nope, she’s Mis’ Daley’s little girl an’ she’s awful 
cute. She wants a doll for Chris’mus but ’er mother’s 
so poor she can’t git ’er one, so I’m goin’ to buy it. 
Mebbe I can sell that feller a paper. [Runs off.] 

Ned: Say, I ought to be ashamed. Here I’ve got money 
to buy presents an’ a good home, an’ I haven’t got half 
the Christmas spirit that Door newsboy has. I call it 


66 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

pretty fine to take his money to get a doll for that little 
Maggie. I guess it won’t be such a bother to buy the 
presents for my folks. [He goes off gaily.] 

Enter Ella 

Ella [ crossly] : I wish Christmas wasn’t coming at all. 
I know I won’t get the presents I want. The very 
things I want the worst the folks say I can’t have. I 
don’t call it a very merry time when some girls get 
such lovely presents an’ I can’t have that ring I want. 

Enter Jake 

Jake [happily] : Three of my papers gone already. I 
bet bizness is goin’ to be good today. [To Ella.] Want 
to buy a paper, Miss? 

Ella: No, I don’t. I can’t see why you look so happy 
when you have to sell papers. 

Jake: W’y, it’s fun to sell papers an’ I’m happy ’cause 
it’s most Chris’mus an’ that makes me feel merry all 
over. 

Ella: Do you ’spose you’ll get some nice Christmas 
presents ? 

Jake: Me? Course not—there hain’t nobody to give ’em 
to me ’less ol ’ Mis ’ Barney gives me some cookies; but 
I’m goin’ to have a lot o’ fun givin’ ’em. I’ve got a 
big red top that spins awful nice for Teddy. He got his 
foot hurt las’ week. Hi, Mister, want a paper? [Runs 

off.] 

Ella: The idea of being so happy when he isn’t going 
to get any nice presents. He thinks Christmas is merry 
just because he can give a few things to other folks. 
[Thinks.] Maybe I better stop thinking ’bout what I’m 
going to get an’ see how many things I can give others. 
I believe I will. [Goes off happily.] 

Enter Tim 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


67 


Tim: Christmas isn’t going to be any fun this year. Pa 
says I can’t have that watch I want an’ it makes me 
awful mad. Lot of the boys no older than I am have 
watches an’ he could get me one if he wanted to. I 
don’t need it very bad but it would be fine to have to 
show the boys. Fred Wall thinks he’s mighty smart 
’cause he’s got a watch. I’m madder still ’bout not 
having a Christmas tree this year. Ma thinks it’s so 
much work to have a tree that we’ll hang up our stock¬ 
ings. I can’t see any fun in that an’ I don’t think 
Christmas is a bit merry. 

Enter Jake, whistling 

Jake: Bizness is fine. [Whistles.] Bet this is goin’ to 
be the best Chris’mus I’ve ever had. 

Tim: Huh, I wouldn’t whistle if I was paid for it. [Goes 
over to Jake.] You seem pretty happy today. 

Jake*. Who wouldn’t be happy with Chris’mus comin? 

Tim : I ’spose you ’re expecting some nice presents. 

Jake: Nope—don’t ’spose I’ll git much o’ anything, but 
that ain’t the best part o’ Chris’mus. Say, we’re goin’ 
to have a swell little party on Chris’mus. We’re goin’ 
to take some popcorn an’ cookies an’ a orange an’ a 
sack o’ candy over to Red’s an’ play games. He’s a 
newsboy that got knocked down by a car las’ week. Say, 
mebbe he won’t be tickled! We want to git ’im some 
mittens if we can save ’nuff money. 

Tim : Is he as large as I am? 

Jake: Nope, he’s real small fer ’is age. 

Tim: Say, I’ve got a fine pair of mittens that’s too small 
for me; I wish you’d take them for him. 

Jake: You bet we will an’ glad to git ’em. Mebbe I can 
sell that guy a paper. [Runs off.] 


68 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

Tim: What do I care if I don’t get a watch? I’ll get 
something nice I’m sure. Say, I’ve got a lot of things 
I could give this boy for Christmas. I’m going home 
an’ get them. [Goes off gaily.] 

Enter Mary 

Mary: I don’t see why folks think Christmas is a merry 
time—I think it’s horrid. Uncle George’s folks can’t 
come from Kirby ’cause the baby has the whooping 
cough, an’ so we’re not going to have turkey for dinner, 
only roast chicken. I think Christmas dinner without 
turkey is horrid. I know I won’t have a bit of fun. 

Enter Jake 

Jake: Two more gone. Bet I’ll sell ’em all. [Dances 
about.] 

Mary: You certainly seem merry. 

Jake: Sure! Ain’t Chris’mus the time to be merry? 
The fellers call me “Merry Chris’mus Jake” ’cause 
I’m so happy, but I don’t care. It’s the best time o’ the 
year an’ why shouldn’t I be merry? 

Mary: Well, I don’t feel very merry because we aren’t 
going to have a turkey for dinner—only roast chicken. 
Isn’t that horrid? 

Jake: Only roast chicken? Only BOAST CHICKEN! 
Gee, I’d call that some feast. W’y, I think it’s great 
’cause I’m goin’ to have some cookies with my bread 
an’ soup. But it ain’t what you eat that makes Chris’- 
mus merry—it’s what you give to folks. Hi, Mister, 
paper? [Runs off.] 

Mary: No wonder they call him “Merry Christmas 
Jake.” He has the real Christmas spirit and I haven’t. 
[Thinks.] Maybe I can find some. 

Enter Ella [carries package] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 69 

Ella : Hello, Mary, where you going’? 

Mary : Going home; can ’t you come with me ? 

Ella: I want to give this package to a newsboy who is 
trying to give his friends a merry Christmas. 

Mary: Oh, I want to give him something, too. He’s the 
one they call “Merry Christmas Jake.” I’ll get mother 
to give me some nice things for his Christmas dinner. 
He’s busy getting things to make other folks happy and 
we’ll give him a surprise by making him happy. 

Ella: That will be fine, and making him happy will 
make us happy too. 


Mary : That’s the real spirit of Christmas. 
[Exeunt.] 


CURTAIN 


Let’s hurry. 


CORA’S CHRISTMAS VISITORS 

CHARACTERS 

The Spirit of Christmas Ben, the Wreath feoy 
Cora, a Sick Girl Hal, the Stocking Boy 

Bena N } The Cooks Fred } The Gift Boys 

Kate, the Doll Girl 

STAGE ARRANGEMENT 

Hang a curtain across the center of stage, back of which Cora’s 
room can be shown with Cora on a couch, a small table at the 
head of the couch. (Should the stage be too narrow for this, cur¬ 
tain off a room for Cora at the end of stage and place Scene I at 
the other end of stage. If the curtain is hung across the center 
of stage, play Sfcene I in front of the curtain. 



70 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


SCENE I—No stage setting required 
Discovered, Helen, Rena, Kate, Ben, Hal, Fred and Joe 

Helen: Isn’t it fine that Christmas time is here again? 
I do think it is the best holiday of the year. 

Rena: 

The stars above with a golden glow 
Look down on candles shining below. 

Kate : 

And brilliant trees with branches of green 
Grace many a festive Christmas scene. 

Helen: 

While from east to west the children say, 

“We love the merry Christmas day.” 

Rena and Kate: 

Merry, merry Christmas! 

Ben: 

Holly and evergreen play their part 
In bringing Christmas cheer to our heart. 

Hal: 

While on the air comes the merry ring 
Of bells as the children carols sing. 

Helen, Rena, Kate: 

Merry, merry Christmas! 

Fred: 

With jingling of bells and smiles of good will 
Santa will come the stockings to fill. 

Joe: 

And then on Christmas, all the day long 
Shall be gay with feasting, laughter and song. 

Ben: 


So sing the praise of Christmas day, 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


71 


Helen, Rena, Kate: 

Merry, merry Christmas day. 

Hal, Fred, Joe: 

So we say, so we say! 

All: 

Merry, merry Christmas day! 

Enter Spirit of Christmas 

Spirit of C.: I am glad you are so fond of Christmas, 
but let me ask: Are your hearts filled with the true* 
spirit of the day? 

Helen: I hope so. 

Spirit of C.: What are you doing to make someone happy ? 
Tell me. [All look from one to the other.] I see you 
need me to set you to work. 

Hal: I think perhaps we do. 

Spirit of C.: I know a little sick girl who needs some 
cheer on Christmas morning. Can you take it to her? 

All: Sure we will. 

Spirit of C.: Who can take a basket of food? 

Rena: Helen and I can. 

Spirit of C.: I will make you members of the Order of 
Cooks. [They kneel before her while she places a white 
paper cap on the head of each.] I crown you members 
of the Order of Cooks; see to it that you fill a basket 
with goodies. [They rise.] Who can give a doll? 

Kate: I have one almost new that I can give. 

Spirit of C.: Then I shall make you a member of our 
Order. [Kate kneels in front of her; she pins a small 


72 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


doll on her.] I decorate you a member of the Order of 
Dolls. See to it that you have one ready. [To Ben.] 
I’ll make you the Wreath Boy. Our sick girl must have 
a hit of Christmas green to cheer her. [Ben kneels in 
front of her and Spirit of Christmas pins a hunch of 
holly on him.] I decorate you a member of the Order 
of Christmas Greens. Be sure you bring a wreath for 
our girl. [To Hal.] You shall be the Stocking Boy. 
[He kneels in front of her and she pins on him a tiny 
colored stocking.] I decorate you a member of the 
Order of the Christmas Stocking. See that you bring 
a good-sized one to be filled for our sick girl. [To Fred 
and Joe.] You shall be the Gift Boys. [They kneel 
in front of her and she pins a tiny toy on each.] I 
decorate you members of the Order of Christmas Gifts. 
See that there are some toys to fill her stocking. Now 
you all have your work; be sure that you do it with 
love and good will. Tomorrow morning I shall expect 
you to make Cora very happy, and in so doing, be 
happy yourselves. 

All [standing on either side of her] : We shall try, dear 
Spirit of Christmas. We’ll make some sad heart gay, 
on Christmas day,' on Christmas day. 

CURTAIN 


SCENE II— At Cora’s home 
Discovered, Cora on the couch 

Cora: This is Christmas morning. I wouldn’t mind 
being sick if I could have a few presents and something 
good to eat. How I’d like a little green to look at and 
a doll to play with. I couldn’t hang up a stocking 
’cause'they’ve all got holes in an’ if I had there wouldn’t 
have been anything in it. Chris’mas isn’t a bit merry, 
not one hit. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


73 


[Enter Helen and Rena, wearing white caps and carry¬ 
ing basket trimmed with red paper; Kate carrying a 
prettily-dressed doll; Ben with a wreath of green; Hal 
with a bright-colored stocking; Fred and Joe with several 
small packages. All sing] : 


Tune: AULD LANG SYNE 

A merry Christmas we bring you, 

A merry Christmas day, 

A merry Christmas we bring you, 

So let your heart be gay. 

Cora: Who are you ? I’m very glad to see you. 

Helen: We are Santa’s Cooks and we’ve brought you 
some goodies for a Christmas dinner. [She and Rena 
put basket on table.] 

Ben: I have brought you a wreath. What is Christmas 
without some green? [He hangs wreath on wall.] 

Hal : I have brought you a stocking to be filled with 
presents. It’s lots of fun to empty it. [He hangs up 
the stocking.] 

Fred: A stocking is no good unless it has some presents 
in it; we’ve brought you some toys from Santa Claus, 
[He and Joe put the packages in the stocking.] 

Kate: I have brought you a doll because Christmas isn’t 
a real Christmas unless a girl gets a doll. I hope you’ll 
like this one. [Gives it to Cora.] * 

Cora [hugging doll]: Oh, isn’t she lovely! W’y, this 
is a real Chris’mas with all these splendid things. I 

. thought it wasn’t a bit merry, but now it’s going to be 
grand. I wish my ma’d hurry home so she can see. 


74 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


She’s off at work. Say, I couldn’t thank you for this 
if I tried a whole year. 

Rena: Then don’t try ’cause we’re in a hurry. [The 
boys and girls go over to side.] 

Joe: So we wish you good-bye and a 

All: Merry, merry Christmas. [Exeunt.] 

Cora: It will be, it surely will be merry. [Loves doll.] 


CURTAIN 


Choice Christmas Dialogues and Plays 
Grammar Grades 


THE JOY OF GIVING 

CHARACTER'S 

Mrs. Joyce Uncle James 

Will, her son Nell Williams 

SCENE—Living room in the Joyce home 

Discovered, Mrs. Joyce, reading. Enter Will with letter 

Will : Here’s a letter from Uncle James. I wonder what 
he has to say. Maybe he has decided to pay us that 
visit he has talked about for six months. 

Mrs. Joyce: Very likely. Half the curtains in the house 
need washing and that is when someone usually comes. 
[She takes letter and opens it.] He hasn’t written 
much. [Glances through letter.] Yes, he is coming; 
will be here tomorrow. I’ll have to make a lemon pie 
and a marble cake. They are his favorite stand-bys. 

Will: Marble cake? Huh, I think that would be a 
little hard for the teeth of a man of Uncle’s age. Why 
not make it of a softer material than marble? 

Mrs. Joyce: Now don’t be smart. You know what a 
marble cake is, and from the size of some pieces of it 
I’ve seen you eat I think you like it almost as well as 
Uncle James does. I’ll go look his room over and see 
if it is all right. [Exit.] 

Will: I’m glad he’s coming. Uncle is a pretty jolly 
fellow. Oh, say! [Thinks.] He’ll be sure to ask me 
about that book he sent me last Christmas. He will as 
sure as fate, and he ’ll want me to read out of it to him. 
What was it? Oh, yes, a copy of Julius Caesar. It was 

75 



76 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


a fine book, too—good leather binding. I—the fact is, 
I gave it to Nell Williams for a birthday present. I 
don’t care for books like that myself—I like stories of 
adventure; but I thought Nell would like it because it 
had such a nice binding. I wish I had it back while 
Uncle is here. I ’ll ask her to borrow it for a few days. 

Enter Nell 

Nell: Hello, Will. Your mother said you were here 
and told me to come right in. I ran over to see about 
our history lesson for tomorrow. What is it, and do 
we have anything extra? 

Will: Well, say, it’s some lesson. We take the battle 
of Gettysburg, and have to write a character sketch about 
a general on the Northern side and one on the Con¬ 
federate. Some work! 

Nell: I should say so. Miss Ellis doesn’t care how hard 
she works us. Well, I must run home and read up about 
those generals. 

Will: Say, Nell, you know that book, Julius Caesar, 
that I gave you for a birthday present ? 

Nell: Sure. It was a dandy—had such a nice leather 
cover. 

Will: Well, will you let me take it for a few days? I— 
there’s something in it I want to read. 

Nell: Good land, can’t you read it just as well in any 
book of Julius Caesar? They all read the same and 
your father has a set of Shakespeare. I don’t see why 
you need to make me hunt up that copy you gave me. 

Will: Well, I wanted to read it in that special book. 

Nell: That’s nonsense. I’m rushed to death with work 
and I can’t bother to hunt up that book just for you 
to read a little. You don’t mind, do you? Don’t be 
such a particular fuss-budget. One book is as good as 
another. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


77 


Will: But I’ve got to have it, Nell. 

Nell [hesitatingly] : Well, Will, the truth is, I haven’t 
got it. I—I did something dreadful. I sent it to my 
Cousin Fred for a present. 

Will [horrified] : W’y, Nell Williams! 

Nell: I’m sorry, but I don’t care for Shakespeare; I 
like stories. Cousin Fred likes books of any kind so I 
sent it to him. I hope you don’t mind. 

Will: But I do mind. I’ve got to have that book. 

Nell: I can’t see why you must have that special copy. 

Will: The truth is, Uncle James sent it to me for a 
Christmas present. He’s coming to visit us and he’ll 
be sure to ask to see it. I don’t know what he’ll say 
if he finds I gave it away. 

Nell: There! You thought it was awful because I gave 
it away, but it was worse for you when your Uncle sent 
it to you for Christmas. You needn’t say anything more 
to me. [Goes off haughtily.] 

Will: Oh, the joy of giving! What will Uncle say to 
me? 

CURTAIN 

SCENE II —Room as before 
Discovered, Will and Uncle James 

Uncle J.: Well, Will, it’s good to see you again. How 
are you getting along in school? Doing pretty good 
work? I hope you’re not flunking in any of your studies. 

Will: No, I’m getting along all right. Might do better 
in some studies but I wasn’t cut out for a book worm. 

Uncle J.: Speaking of books, how did you like that copy 
of Julius Caesar I sent you for Christmas? Pretty 
fine, eh? 

Will: Yes, it was fine; splendid binding; interesting, 
too. 


78 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Uncle J.: I’m very fond of Shakespeare and I hope you 
will he. I think his works are splendid reading for 
young people. Julius Caesar is especially good to my 
notion. I suppose you’ve read it quite a bit. 

Will: Oh, yes. [Aside.] I mean I haven’t. 

Uncle J.: I suppose you have some favorite passages 
learned. I know a great many of them myself. Let me 
hear you say some. 

Will [ hesitatingly ] : That’s a good one that says—“All’s 
well that ends well,” and—oh, yes, that one about “To 

be or not to be; whether it is nobler to-’ ’ well, you 

know how it goes. 

Uncle J. [amazed] : I hope you don’t think either of 
them are in Julius Caesar! The idea! I’m surprised 
at you, I am indeed. 

Will: You see, it’s quite awhile since I read it and— 

Uncle J. : I think you have forgotten. You get your book 
and I’ll show you some parts I want you to read to me. 

Will: W’y—I don’t need to bother to get mine, do I? 
I can read out of father’s set; it’s handy here. 

Uncle J. : No, I want you to get your own book so I can 
mark some passages for you. Get it now. 

Will: The fact is, Uncle, it isn’t here now. I let a 
friend have it. 

Uncle J.: Then you get it so we can read from it to¬ 
morrow. 

Will: I can’t. The truth is, I gave it away for a present 
—it was so fine, you know. 

Uncle J. [angrily] : Gave away the present I sent you? 
Gave away a Christmas present ? What kind of a fellow 
are you ? The idea! 

Enter Mrs. Joyce 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


79 


Mrs. Joyce: Uncle James, didn’t you bring the slippers 
with you that I sent you last Christmas? I was in hopes 
I’d see you wearing them while you are here. They 
would be so comfortable. 

Uncle J.: Yes, they’re very comfortable. I thought it 
was very kind in you to send them to me. Such a 
pretty color, pink and blue. 

Mrs. Joyce: Pink and blue? W’y, they were brown and 
yellow. 

Uncle J.: Oh, yes, I meant brown and yellow. Very 
pretty and comfortable. 

Mrs. Joyce : I suppose you wear them every day at home. 

Uncle J.: Well, not—every day. 

Mrs. Joyce: I want to see you wearing them here. I’m 
going to send Maria a note and tell her to send them. 
They will get here by day after tomorrow. 

Uncle J.: Now don’t bother for such a short time as 
I’ll be here. 

Mrs. Joyce: It is no bother and you’ll be here three 
weeks. 

Uncle J.: But Maria—can’t find them. 

Mrs. Joyce: Oh, yes she can. 

Uncle J. [desperately] : But—the truth is—I gave them 
away. I don’t care for crocheted slippers. I gave them 
to the minister for his birthday. I hope you don’t mind. 

Mrs. Joyce: But I do mind. 

Will [happily] : Shake, Uncle James. We’re in the 
same boat. 

Uncle J.: You know there is so much joy in giving that— 

Will: That we give away anything we can. You forgive 
me and mother will forgive you. 

Uncle J.: All right. 

Mrs. Joyce [crossly] : I don’t know about that. 

CURTAIN 


80 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

THE PICKETTS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY 

CHARACTERS 

Mr. Pickett 

Maria, his wife 

Lon Hemway, crippled boy of about thirteen 

Jason Green, deaf but cheerful 

Rose Dean, happy orphan about twelve years old 

Mrs. Brown, fat and sickly 

Dan Pickett, the absent son 

SCENE I—The Pickett’s living room 
Discovered, Mr. and Mrs. Pickett 

Mrs. Pickett: I guess we won’t try to keep Christmas 
this year. So long’s there’s only the two of us an’ money 
is scarce we can get along without any fussing. My 
sickness cost so much that we ’ll have to be real saving. 

Mr. Pickett: Yes, I ’spose so. It’ll seem dreadful lone¬ 
some not to have a little Chris’mus. I’ll git a big arm¬ 
ful of evergreen to trim up with—that’ll help some an’ 
won’t cost none. 

Mrs. Pickett: That’ll be fine. I’ll make a big dried 
apple pie an’ put raisins in it— that’ll be cheap an’ real 
tasty, too. 

Mr. Pickett: Yep, your dried apple pies are most as 
good’s mince. An’ we’ve got that popcorn we can use 
an’ the nuts from the ol’ hick’ry tree an’ they’s some 
of them Baldwin apples left. 

Mrs. Pickett: Now, that was fine you spoke of ’em— 
I’ll make a nice nut cake. Don’t you recollect how 
Danny used to like ’em? 

Mr. Pickett: Yep, he thought they’s ’bout the best thing 
he could git hold of. Wish he was going to be here for 
Chris’mus. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


81 


Mrs. Pickett : So do I. It’s an awful long time sence 
lie’s been home. [$^7is.] But don’t help none to fuss 
’bout it. We’ll have to do without ’im, same’s usual. 
We’ve got some ’taters an’ squash an’ a cabbage; now 
if we had a nice chicken to roast we’d have a fine dinner. 

Mr. Pickett: We’ve got some beef left. A good roast 
won’t be so bad. 

Mrs. Pickett: ’Course not; it’ll be good ’nuff. 

Mr. Pickett*. Seems to me like we’d ought to ask in 
somebody to have dinner with us. 

Mrs. Pickett: W’y Amos Pickett, not to sech a meal’s 
that on Chris’mus. What’d they think? 

Mr. Pickett : It’d be alright fer the folks I had in mind; 
somebody that’s worse off’n we be. Now, Lem Hemway, 
fer instance, that’ll be alone ’cause his mother’s off takin’ 
care of ’er sister. An’ Jason Green who’ll likely have 
to eat by ’imself. 

Mrs. Pickett: Alright, you ask them two an’ we’ll try 
to make ’em have a real good time. I’ll start gettin’ 
nuts ready for the cake right off. [Starts over.] 

Mr. Pickett: Now, Maria, you make a big ’un an’ better 
make two pies, in case we’d want to ask somebody else. 
Seein’ we can’t spend money we’ll try to scatter a little 
cheer. 

Mrs. Pickett : Well, if you say so. It’ll be better’n bein’ 
alone. [Exit.] 

Mr. Pickett: Now that Maria’s started I bet she’ll git 
up a good dinner without spendin’ anything. [Thinks.] 
Now there’s Mis’ Brown, she’s alone an’ she’d like 
awful well to come. I’ll ask ’er, too. Mebbe she can 
work off some of ’er fat yellin’ at Jason Green. He’s 
most as deaf as a barndoor but he’ll enjoy ’is dinner. 
An’ Rosie Dean, the Benson’s left ’er alone while they’ve 
gone visitin’—I’ll ask Rosie, too. Guess I’ll start out 


82 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

now an’ ask ’em so’s it’ll be done. I’ll pop corn an 
Maria can make some stockin’s out o’ that skeeter nettin’ 
we’ve got so’s they can all have one. I bet this 11 be the 
bes’ Chris’mus we’ve had in a long time. Here goes 
fer the invitin’. [Fusses with hair and necktie, then 
goes off.] 

CURTAIN 

SCENE II—Same as above 
Discovered, Mr. Pickett, eating cake 

Mr. Pickett : Say, this cake is good alright. Maria gave 
me a little bite of her sample an’ it tastes jest like more. 
Seems to me it’s ’bout time some of the visiters was 
cornin’. [Knock is heard. He goes over and admits 
company.] Come in. Merry Chris’mus. Glad to see ye. 

Enter Lon Hemway walking with crutch 

Lon: Merry Chris’mus, Mr, Pickett, an’ a lot of ’em. 
This is sure fin^e in you to ask me over. Guess I wouldn’t 
been very merry at home. Beats all how a feller gets 
lonesome on Chris’mus. Yisterday I didn’t mind stayin’ 
alone, but today, ’cause it’s Chris’mus, I felt like I’d 
mos’ die if I couldn’t go somewheres. Yes, sir, : bet I’d 
a been dead by night if I’d stayed home. [Sits.] 

Mr. Pickett: Glad I saved yer life. It’s sort o’ bad to 
have fun’rals in winter, flowers is so scarce. [Knock 
is heard.] Here comes somebody else. [Goes over.] 

Lon: Gee, is somebody else cornin’? Ain’t that fine? 

Enter Mrs. Brown made up very fat 

Mrs. Brown: Merry Chris’mus, Mr. Pickett, Merry 
Chris’mus. [Drops into a chair.] I wasn’t hardly able 
to come over today, I’m feelin’ so mis’abul, but I says 
to myself, says I, I might jest as well git sick cornin’ over 
here as to git sick feelin’ bad ’cause I couldn’t come, so 
here I be. Merry Chris’mus, Lon, how you feelin’? 
[Takes off shawl and hat.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


83 


Lon: Fine, jes’ fine. Chris’mus parties agrees with me 
splendid. 

Mr. Pickett : What seems to he the matter, Mrs. Brown ? 

Mrs. Brown : Well, comical rhenmatiz fer one thing. 

Mr. Pickett: Didn’t know they was any sech thing as 
comical rheumatiz. Didn’t ’spose they was nothin’ 
funny ’bout it. 

Mrs. Brown: Well, mebbe—oh, I guess it ain’t comical; 
it’s ’cute rheumatiz, but ’cute an’ comical means the 
same. An’ my liver’s been actin’ up, too. Doctor says 
I’ve got too much bile^—mebbe ’cause I had biled dinner 
twice las’ week. 

Mr. Pickett: It’s too bad you ain’t feelin’ good ’cause 
now I’m ’fraid you can’t eat much dinner. Maria’s 
made an awful good nut cake an’ some pies. 

Mrs. Brown: No, I can’t eat much—jest some meat an’ 
’taters an’ some vegetables, an’ a few slices o’ bread, 
an’ some pickles an’ jelly an’ a few cups o’ coffee, an’ 
a piece o’ pie an’ a piece er two o’ cake—but I won’t 
be able to make out a real meal, seein’ how I feel. 

Lon: Wal, I ’spose you ought to be glad you can eat a 
little mite like you mentioned. 

Mrs. Brown: La, yes, I’m glad; but I do enjoy a reg’lar 
meal. [Knock is heard. Mr. Pickett goes over.] 

Mr. Pickett: Come in, Jason. Merry Chris’mus. Feel¬ 
in’ pretty well? 

Enter Jason Green 

Mr. Green: Yes, it’s a real cold spell. [Takes off cap 
and long scarf.] Merry Chris’mus, Mis’ Brown. [He 
sit's.] 

Mrs. Brown: Merry Chris’mus. Have you heard from 
your brother Jake lately? 


84 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mr. Green: Toothache? No, I ain’t had the toothache 
fer better’ll three years. Good reason why, ain’t got 
hardly no teeth left to ache. [Laughs.]' 

Mrs. Brown: I said have you heard from Jake lately. 

Mr. Green: Yes, it has been real pleasant lately; fust- 
rate weather fer Chris’mus, I think. [Knock is heard. 
Mr. Pickett goes over.] 

Mr. Pickett: Come in, Rosie. Merry Chris ’mus. 

Enter Rose Dean 

Rose: Merry Chris’mus, ev’rybody. [They answer.] Oh, 
goody, this is a real party. [Takes off her things and 
sits.] How you been feelin’, Lon? 

Lon [soberly] : Not very well; been havin’ rheumatiz in 
my wooden leg [waves crutch] an’ it makes it hard fer 
me to walk. 

Rose: Oh, come now, Lon, if it’s the wood that gits 
rheumatiz, I’d say you ought to have it in yer head. 
[Others laugh.] 

Mr. Green: What you folks laughin’ at? Sometimes I 
don’t hear good. 

Mrs. Brown: Rosie thinks Lon’s head is made o’ wooff. 

Mr. Green: I don’t see’s we need any more wood. I’m 
plenty warm. 

Enter Mrs. Pickett 

Mrs. Pickett: Merry Chris’mus, folks. [She shakes 
hands.] I’m dreadful glad to see you. Hope you’ll 
excuse me fer not cornin’ in sooner, but I had to look 
after the dinner. [She sits.] 

Mr. Pickett: That’s alright, Maria. We’re fine without 
any lookin’ after, but the dinner ain’t. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 85 

Mr. Green: This is Chris Thus day and folks ought to 
give presents, so I’ll give each one of you a present. 
\Fumbles in pocket and gets out a sm,all sack.] I bought 
’nuff so’s they’d be one for all of ye. [He passes around 
a sack of peppermints. Each take one.] I think 
they’re real good an’ they’re healthy, too. Won’t make 
ye sick. [He sits.] 

Mrs. Brown: Humph! I guess one pep’mint lozeng 
wouldn’t make a body sick. [They all eat candy.] 

Mr. Green : What say, Mis ’ Brown ? 

Mrs. Brown : I said these is real good. 

Mr. Green: Yes, I’m gittin’ real hungry, too. 

Bose: Oh, let’s play a game. 

Lon: I say so, too. 

Mrs. Pickett: What shall we play? 

Rose: Roll the platter. 

/ 

Mr. Pickett: W’y, we can’t roll it—we’ve got to have 
it to put the meat on fer dinner. 

Rose: We don’t need the real platter; a tin plate will 
do. I’ll find one. [She runs off and comes back soon 
with a tin pie plate.] 

Mr. Green: Oh, I though ye was bringin’ somethin’ to 
eat. 

Rose: Don’t you want to play roll the platter? 

Mr. Green: No, I didn’t eat very much breakfast, ’cause 
I was cornin’ here fer dinner, you know. 

Rose: Now, Mr. Pickett, you spin it an’ call somebody’s 
name an’ that person has to catch the plate ’fore it stops 
spinning an’ falls down. 

Mr. Pickett: Alright. [He stands at center of stage 
and spins plate.] I’ll call Mis’ Brown. 


86 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mrs. Brown: Land snz! I can’t ketch it, I’m too fat. 
[She gets up and makes a dive for the plate, misses it 
and falls in a heap on the floor.] 

Rose: Oh, yon missed it, Mis’ Brown. [ They all laugh.] 

Mr. Green: What’s she tryin’ to git that plate for when 
they ain’t anything on it to eat? 

Mrs. Brown: This will make my rheumatiz worse. 

Lon: Maybe it’ll cure it. 

Mr. Pickett: We’ll help you up, Mis’ Brown. [All the 

* others get around her and finally help her get to her 
feet] 

Mrs. Brown: Now, Rosie, you jest think o’ some other 
game. We ain’t goin’ to play this no more. [They help 
her get seated.] 

Rose: Oh, let’s play charades. They’re lots o’ fun. 

Lon: How do you do’ em? 

Rose: All of you but Mis’ Pickett an’ Mr. Green go in 
the other room an’ I’ll fix ’em so you’ll guess what 
they’re actin’ out. 

Mrs. Brown: Don’t know as I can move but I’ll try. 
[Mr. Pickett, Mrs. Brown and Lon exeunt.] 

Rose: Now, Mis’ Pickett, you stand here [places her at 
center of stage], an’ Mr. Green you kneel in front of 
her an’ hold her hand. 

Mr. Green: What’s this? 

Rose [shouts in his ear] : It’s a game. 

Mr. Green: Well, I’m game. [Rose makes him kneel in 
front of Mrs. Pickett and hold her hand.] 

Rose: Now you stay just this way an’ I’ll git the others 
to come in an’ guess what word you’re actin’ out. [She 
runs off.] 

Enter Dan Pickett, . quickly, carrying large basket 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


87 


Dan: Say, what does this mean? [Sets down basket 
quickly.] You blamed ol’ pop-eyed geezer, what you 
makin’ love to my mother for? [He grabs Green and 
jerks him away.] 

Mrs. Pickett : Oh, Danny, Danny, have you come home ? 
[Tries to put her arms around his neck.] You dear boy! 

Dan [angrily] : You needn’t try to hug me—letting that 
ol’ shrimp make love to you. Is pa dead? 

Enter Mr. Pickett, Mrs. Brown, Rose and Lon 

Mr. Pickett : What’s all the fuss about? [Looks at Dan.] 
Who’s this? 

Mrs. Pickett: Oh, it’s our darling Danny. 

Dan: You’re a bad woman. [Points to his mother.] 

Mr. Green : I don’t see what all this means. 

Dan: You quit makin’ love to my mother. 

Mr. Green: I wasn’t makin’ love- J’m a game. 

Dan : I ’ll make game of ye an ’ use a gun on ye. 

Mr. Pickett: I swan it is Danny. [Shakes hands.] 
Ain’t this splendid to have you home for Chris’mus! 

Rose: Oh, he spoiled our game! 

Mrs. Pickett : Oh, you darling boy, to git here jest when 
dinner’s ready. [She hugs him.] 

Dan: I wasn’t sure you’d have enough for me to eat so 
I stopped down here an’ got a turkey all ready roasted. 

Mrs. Pickett: Oh, that is all we needed to make our 
dinner fine. I’ll have it ready right away. [She hurries 
out, Dan folloiving with the basket.] 

Lon [yelling at Mr. Green] : TURKEY! 

Mr. Green: What kind o’ Turkey—the land where-them 
bad folks live? They all need killin’. 


88 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Rose [loudly] : It’s already killed an’ roasted an’ ready 
to EAT! 

Enter Dan 

Dan: Dinner’s ready, folks. Forward, march! 

Mr. Green: Suits me, fine. [They march off as curtain 
goes down.] 


CURTAIN 


THE HORTONS’ CHRISTMAS TRIP 


CHARACTERS 


M^r. Horton, retired farmer 
Mrs. Horton, his wife 
Henry, their up-to-date son 
Marie, the polished daughter 
Dora, the maid 
Sue, Nell and Bess 


Agent, at railroad station 
Fatty, salesboy at station 
A Tramp 
Mrs. Ball 

Fred 1 jj er children 
Nettie \ 


'SCENE I—Living room in Horton home 


Discovered, Mr. and Mrs. Horton 

Mr. Horton: Well, ma, what are we goin’ to do fer 
Christmas? 

Mrs. Horton : Long as Henry and Marie are to be home 
I think we ought to have a nice Chris’mas tree, an’ 
decorate the house, an’ have a big dinner, an’ enjoy 
a reg’lar old-fashioned Chris’mas. 


Mr. Horton: Suits me fine! Seems like Chris ’mus ain’t 
Chris’mus. unless we have a tree an’ do things up like 
we used to. 


Mrs. Horton: I don’t know what Henry an’ Marie will 
think of it, but I guess they’ll like it. 

Mr. Horton: Well—mebbe they will;—they’re so sort 
of—up-to-date there’s no tellin what’ll suit ’em. 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


89 


Mrs. Horton [sighing] : Yes, that’s so. Since we sent 
’em away to school they’re—sort of—diff’rent. 

Mr. Horton : Yes, too much so to suit me. 

Enter Henry 

Mrs. Horton : Henry, I want to ask you ’bout what 
we’ll do Chris’mas. 

Henry: Christmas? Oh, yes, I hope you haven’t planned 
up a lot of old-fashioned dope that you’ll expect me to 
stay here and put up with. 

Mrs. PI orton : W’y, Henry, you used to think Chris’mas 
was grand an’ you weren’t happy unless we had a tree 
an’ Santy Claus. 

Henry : Good land, mother, that was when I was young. 
You can’t expect me to care about such things now that 
I’m a young man. You can’t seem to remember that 
I have been away to school. [Struts across room.] 

Mr. Horton : I didn’t know folks ever got too old to 

. enjoy Chris’mus. 

Henry : Father! How old-fashioned you are. I do wish 
you’d try to keep up a little better with the times. It’s 
a wonder you don’t want me to hang up my socks on 
Christmas eve. 

Mr. Horton: Guess it wouldn’t hurt you none. 

Henry : Your ideas are dreadful. But speaking of Christ¬ 
mas, I came in to talk over that very thing with you. 
I have been invited to spend a week with one of my 
school friends. His folks have a cottage in the hills 
and a party of us are going there for a good time. I 
don’t see, father, why you can’t have a cottage in the 
mountains and one at the seashore. 

Mr. Horton: No, I ’spose you don’t. So you want to 
go off there instead o’ stayin’ home with us fer Chris’mus ? 


90 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Henry : Goodness;, father, it would bore me to death 
here. Can’t you let me have fifty dollars so I can start 
right away ? 

Mr. Horton : Fifty dollars its a lot of money. 

Henry : Well, that can he my Christmas present. I 
surely don’t want you folks spending money for presents 
I don’t care about. I’m sure you won’t mind my going. 

Mrs. Horton : I suppose he may as well go, pa, if he 
can’t enjoy Chris’mas with us. 

Mr. Horton : Yes, I ’spose so. 

Henry: Oh, thank you! We’ll have no end of a jolly 
time. I’ll have to see about getting my things ready. 
[Hurries out.] 

Mrs. Horton [sadly] : It’ll seem lonesome with him gone 
Chris ’mas. 

Enter Marie 

Marie : Oh, folks, I’m just all thrilled up! I’ve been 
wondering how I’d ever stand Christmas here, it’is so 
quiet, you know, after being away at school, and all the 
old-fashioned Christmas festivities are so tiresome, you, 
know, and it seems so sally for us to have a tree now 
that we’re old enough to go away to school, you know, 
but now things are coming out just fine. 

Mr. Horton; I ’spose you’re gettin’ too smart to enjoy 
Chris’mus, too. 

Marie; Mercy, father, don’t speak so! You act as if we 
ought to keep up all our little baby ideas about Chris- 
mas. But do let me tell you my good luck. One of the 
girls, she’s awfully dear and sweet, and her folks have 
lovely things, you know, and they’re dreadfully up-to- 
date,, and she has asked me to stay a week with her— 
it’s a Christmas house party, you know. Isn’t that 
wonderful? We’ll have a grand time. You’ll let me 
go, won’t you ? It won’t cost more than thirty or forty 
dollars. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


91 


Mrs. Horton: I’m ’fraid we’ll be pretty dull here with 
you children gone. 

Marie: Oh, now, you and father won’t mind. You know 
you’ve written for Sarah to come home with the chil¬ 
dren. You can have a tree for them and have a lot of 
fun. You’ll let me go, won’t you? 

Mr. Horton: Oh, I ’spose so. 

Marie: Oh, thanks, very much. I’m crazy about it. Now 
I must go see about my dresses. You’ll have to help me 
pack my things, mother. Oh, I’m dreadfully thrilled. 
[Hurries out.] 

Mrs. Horton: I’m glad we wrote for Sarah and her 
family to come home. We’ll have a good time with our 
gran’children anyway. 

Mr. Horton: Yes, we can have a tree for ’em. 

Enter Dora [Carries letter on tray.] 

Dora: Here’s a letter that jest came, ma’am, an’ I 
thought mebbe you’d be anxious to read it, ’cause it’s 
from the place where your married daughter, Sarah, 
lives. I wasn’t tryin’ to find out who it’s from, ma’am, 
of course, ’cause you well know I ain’t that kind, ma’am, 
but I jest happened to notice it. I ’spose mebbe it’s 
tellin’ ’bout Chris’mus an’ so I brought it right in for 
you to read, ma ’am. I ’spose mebbe she’s a comin ’ home 
with them nice little childern o’ hers an’ spend Chris’- 
mus. [Gives letter to Mrs. Horton.] 

Mrs. Horton: Thank you, Dora. How are you gettin’ 
on with the cookin’? We want plenty of mince pies 
made, an’ cookies, an’ cakes an’ plum puddin’. 

Dora: Things is cornin’ fine, ma’am. We’ll have lots o’ 
good things to eat. You jest ought to see the shelves 
I’ve got filled up already. [Exit.] 

Mr. Horton: Read what Sary says, ma. 


92 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mrs. Horton: I feel like it’ll be bad news. [Opens let¬ 
ter and reads.] 

Mr. Horton: What does she say, ma? 

Mrs. Horton: They can’t come for Chris ’mas. Seems 
like her husban’ has to go to Chicago on a trip an’ they’re 
goin’ to have Chris’mas there with his cousin. [Sighs.] 
Now ain’t that too bad? 

Mr. Horton: What’ll we do here all alone in this big 
house? It’ll be dreadful lonesome for the two of us. 

Mrs. Horton: We won’t stay here. We’ll go some place. 

Mr. Horton: Where’ll we go? 

Mrs. Horton [with spirit] : We’ll go to the city. We’ll 
stay at a big hotel an’ go to shows an’ have a good time. 

Mr. Horton: That’s jest what! I guess we can find lots 
to keep us from gittin’ lonesome in the city. We’ll have 
a real Chris’mus spree. 

Mrs. Horton [Rings hell.] : I’ll tell Dora we’re goin’. 

Enter Dora 

Dora : I ’spose I know what you want to say, ma ’am, an ’ 
it’s that your daughter Sarah is cornin’ to spend Chris’- 
mus with us, ain’t it now ? 

Mr. Horton: You’ll have to guess once more, Dora. 

Dora: Oh, now, you don’t mean to say that she ain’t 
comin ? 

Mr. Horton: That’s more like it. 

Mrs. Horton: No, they can’t' come an’ Henry’s invited 
away, an’ Marie is going off to a house party an’ so 
we’ve decided not to have any Chris’mas. 

Dora: Well, now, I declare. What’s goin’ to be done 
with all the cookin’ that’s been got ready? 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 93 

Mr. Horton: Oh, it’ll keep till we git back. We’ll only 
be gone a few days. Don’t you want to go spend Chris’- 
mus with some of your folks? 

Dora: Oh, I’ll say I do! My sister’s havin’ a big party 
an’ she wants worse way for me to come, but I ’sposed 
I couldn’t git off. I’ll be awful tickled to go. 

Mrs. Horton: Well, you jest get ready an’ go. 

Dora: Alright, ma’am. Now ain’t it splendid I got me 
that new dress last week? I’ll look swell when I git 
fixed up. [Hurries out.] 

Mrs. Horton: We’ll go tomorrow. I’ll see ’bout our 
things. [Exit.] 

Mr. Horton : I don’t like this idee of runnin’ off to find 
Chris’mus, but I guess it’s the best we can do. Seems 
like the good old merry-Chris’mus-days has gone, an’ I 
don’t like it. [Walks floor sadly as curtain drops.] 

CURTAIN 


SCENE II—At the station 

Set the stage with a number of seats and a small table at one end 

for the ticket Agent. 

Discovered, the Agent at his desk 

Agent: That Fatty left some of his papers on the seats. 
I’ll have to git after him. [Calls.] Hey, you Fatty, 
Come ’ere. [Pause.] I’d like to know what he’s doin’. 
[Calls.] Fatty, oh Fat! 

Enter Fatty, lazily 

Fatty: Wot you want, Jeremiah? You act like you’s 
excited. 

Agent : Excited ? Say, I ’ll git so excited that something’ll 
happen if you don’t quit leavin’ your papers ’round 
the waitin’ room. You git ’em picked up. I’ll skin you 
in ’bout a minute, you lazy bundle o’ fat. 


94 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Fatty: Here, now, that ain’t nice to talk like that. Don’t 
yon know that Chris’mus is a time of peace an’ good 
will? You’d ought to love me, Jeremiah, ’stead o’ 
talkin’ so mean. 

Agent: I’ll love you with a stick if you don’t git busy 
an’ tend to your work. You pick up them papers, 
[Fatty goes lazily about, singing and picking up papers.] 

Enter Mr. and Mrs. Horton, carrying suit cases 
and packages 

Mrs. Horton: I do hope the train/ain’t gone. 

Mr. Horton: Gone nothin’! We’re a half hour early. 
You alius want to start too early. [Exit Fatty.] 

Mrs. Horton: Well, if I didn’t git here early I’d be 
sure to miss the train. [She sits.] 

Mr. Horton: I’ll git.the tickets. [Goes over and gets 
tickets.] 

Enter Nell, Sue and Bess 

Nell: Ain’t it fun to have Chris’mas come? 

Bess: Oh, say, I jus’ love it. I bet I’ll git some peachy 
presents. 

Sue: I’m goin’ to the swellest Chris’mas party. [They 
sit and eat peanuts.] 

Mr. Horton [coming over] : Well, I got the tickets. 
[Sits by Mrs. Horton.] 

Enter Tramp 

Tramp: How much is a ticket to Morrow? 

Agent: Costs just the same tomorrow as it does today. 
Where you want to go? 

Tramp*. To Morrow. 

Agent: Well, you can go tomorrow if you want to, but 
what place you want to go to? 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


95 


Tramp : I want to go to the village of Morrow where me 
wife an’ fourteen childern lives. 

Agent: Oh, I see! Goin’ home for Chris’mas, I ’spose. 

Mrs. Horton : My, my, to think he’s got fourteen childern. 

Tramp: How much does a ticket cost? 

Agent: Return ticket? 

Tramp: Wot kind’s that? 

Agent: W’y, that brings you back again. 

Tramp: Don’t need to be brought back. I’m here now. 

Agent: Say, do you want to buy a ticket? 

Tramp: Will you charge it till next week? 

Agent: Say, you git out o’ this. Git out, I say. 

Tramp [grinning] : Alright. Merry Chris’mus to ye. 
[Starts out.] 

Mrs. Horton: Mister, wait a minute. [Goes over to 
Tramp.] Say, won’t you take these cookies along for 
your childern? [Gives him a bag.] They’re real nice 
an’ we don’t need ’em. Fourteen childern is an awful 

lot. 

Tramp: It is, mum, an’ they is awful fond o’ cookies; 
thank ye, mum. [Comes to front.] Gee, won’t I have 
a feast? [Goes out grinning.] 

Enter Mrs. Ball ivith Nettie and Fred, carrying packages 

Mrs. Ball: Come over here an’ sit till the train corned 
in. [They sit.] 

Enter Fatty with basket of confections 

Fatty : Peanuts, 

[Walks about.] 
candy. 

Sue: Let’s buy some candy. 

Nell: No, let’s have popcorn—it goes farther. 


popcorn, chewing gum an’ candy. 
Peanuts, popcorn, chewing gum an’ 


96 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Bess: Yes, let’s have popcorn, 
money, I’ve spent sor much 
[They buy some popcorn.] 


I’m gettin’ short on 
for Chris’mus presents. 


Fred: Say, ma, can’t we have some popcorn? 


Nettie: Oh, ma, can’t we have a little bit of candy? 


Mrs. Ball: No, not now. [She whispers to them.] 

Agent : Say, Fatty, do you know where that boy is that 
delivers telegrams? I’ve got a telegram for Mrs. Ball. 
We’ll have to find that boy. 

Mrs. Ball: Oh, I wonder! [Rises.] Did you say the 
telegram is for Mrs. Ball? That s my name. 


Agent: It’s for Mrs. Matilda Ball. 

Mrs. Ball: Yes, that is my name. Oh, I wonder what 
it says. [She goes over.] 

Agent: You can soon tell by readin it, what it says. 
[Gives Mrs. Ball the telegram.] 

Mrs. Ball: I know it’s bad news. [Goes over and sits.] 

Mrs/ Horton : I hope the train comes soon. I’m real 
anxious to git to the city. We’ll have a fine time, pa, 
goin’ ’round an’ seein’ the sights. I guess it 11 be more 
fun than stayin’ at home an’ havin’ a Chris’mas tree. 
[Mrs. Ball has opened telegram and read it. She begins 
to cry.] 

Nettie: What’s the matter, ma? What you cry in’ ’bout? 


Fred: Ma, don’t cry. You make me feel bad. [He 
starts to cry.] 

Mrs. Ball: Oh, dear, dear! [Cries.] 

Nettie: Ma, don’t cry. [She starts to cry.] 

Mrs. Horton: She’s got bad news. [Goes to Mrs. Ball.] 
- I hope you didn’t have bad news in your telegram. 


f 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


97 


Mrs. Ball: Yes, my husban’s sick in the hospital an’ 
can’t come home. We expected him on this train. Oh, 
dear! He was goin’ to bring home some money; now 
I ain’t got a cent left to get anything for the children’s 
Chris’mus. Oh, dear, dear! Poor William! I don’t 
know what I’ll do. 

Nettie: Oh, now we can’t have any Chris’mus dinner. 

Fred: An’ we can’t have no Chris’mus presents in our 
stocky’s. 

Sue: Isn’t that a shame? 

Nell: I’ll say it is. 

Bess: They won’t have a very merry Chris’mus. 

Mr. Horton : Hi, boy, come here. [Fatty goes over and 
Mr. Horton buys a sack of popcofn for Fred and one 
for Nettie and gives them while Mrs. Horton tries to 
comfort Mrs. Ball.] 

Mrs. Horton : Pa, you come here. [She takes Mr. Horton 
down in front.] Now, I want to tell you, I ain’t goin’ 
a step to the city. I don’t think it’ll be a bit o’ pleasure 
at Chris’mus time. 

Mr. Horton: W’.y, I thought you wanted to go. 

Mrs. Horton: Well, I don’t. I’m goin’ to stay home 
an’ so’re you an’ we’re goin’ to take this woman an’ 
her two childern home with us an’ have a Chris’mus 
party an’ a Chris’mus tree an’ have a splendid time. 

Mr. Horton: Suits me fine! You’re some planner. I 
ain’t much fer gaddin’ ’round at Chris’mus, an’ this 
woman needs some help. I’ll see ’bout givin’ the tickets 
back. [Goes to Agent.] 

Enter Tramp 

Tramp : Say, seems like that train to Morrow ain’t goin ’ 
till tomorrow. 


98 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mrs. Horton [to Tramp] : Oh, mister man, I want to 
give yon these for your childern. Fourteen is such a 
lot. [She gives him some packages that she and Mr. 
Horton brought.] This is our lunch an’ now we won’t 
need it. 

Tramp [happily at front ] : Holy smoke! Won’t I have 
a merry Chris’mus! [Exit.] 

Mrs. Horton [to Mrs. Ball] : Now don’t you feel a hit 
bad. You’re goin’ home with us fer Chris ’mag*. We’ve 
got a big house an’ nobody in it, an’ a lot' o’ stuff baked 
an’ nobody to eat it, an’ we’ll have a Chris’mus tree fer 
the childern. 

Mr. Horton [coming over] : Yes, ma an’ me is awful 
fond o’ Chris’mus trees. Come on, we’ll go right home 
now. [Starts to get his baggage.] 

Nettie: Oh, we will have a merry Chris’mas, won’t we? 

Mr. Horton: That’s what we will — a MERRY 
CHRIS’MUS! 

CURTAIN 


THE CHRISTMAS DINNER 

FOR TWO LITTLE GIRLS, ONE OLDER GIRL, AND TWO 
LARGE BOYS 

SCENE: Kitchen, cooksto-ve, table containing utensils and 
several loaves of fresh-baked bread 

Discovered, Mrs. Hardy and little daughter, Alice, in 
gingham aprons. Mrs. Hardy bastes turkey, 
and shuts oven door 

Mrs. Hardy : Now, Alice, I must go upstairs and see how 
your grandmother is. The doctor said that she must 
have very good care. You watch the turkey, and attend 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


99 


to it—that's a good girl! Your father will be home 
soon from his mail-route; and we shall have our Christ¬ 
mas dinner together. [Exit. Little girl’s voice calls from 
outside.] 

Little Girl: Alice, oh Alice! [Alice opens outside 
door. Enter Emily Andrews, child about Alice’s age, 
in winter coat and cap.] 

Emily : Hello, Alice ! I have come to see your Christmas 
gifts, and I want you to come to my house to see mine. 

Alice: Oh, I am so glad you came, Emily. Just wait a 
minute and I’ll get my presents. [Exit a moment. Re¬ 
turns carrying stocking filled with candy and nuts, and 
an assortment of dolls, books and toys. The little girls 
examine everything and talk about them.] 

Emily: Now, Alice, you must come over to my house 
and see my things. I can hardly wait to show them to 
you. 

Alice : Mamma said I should stay in the kitchen here and 
watch the turkey. 

Emily: Oh, you don’t need to do that. The turkey won’t 
run -off, and you can be back before you have to do any¬ 
thing to it. 

Alice: All right! [Gets hat and coat and goes out with 
Emily. After a short time a knock is heard at the door. 
When there is no answer, the door is pushed open and 
a poorly dressed man peeps cautiously in. Enter 
stealthily.] 

Man: I have never been a thief before. I thought I 
should never come to stealing; but I shall not have my 
wife and little girl go hungry on Christmas Day if I 
can help it. [He takes turkey out of oven and one loaf 
of bread from table. Looks longingly at dolls and toys.] 


100 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Man : If I could take just one little doll to Elsie, how 
happy she would he! But I mustn’t steal anything 
that we can get along without. But I will take just 
one piece of candy. This child will not miss it at all. 
[Selects with care one piece of candy from the stocking. 
Then with turkey and bread, starts out of door. Enter 
Mrs. Hardy. Sees man.] 

Mrs. Hardy: Hey, there! Come hack! What are you 
doing in my house? [Seizes his arm. Man allows him¬ 
self to be drawn back into room.] 

Mrs. Hardy: Account for yourself, sir! 

Man: Yes, I was stealing your dinner, ma’am. But, 
believe me, ma’am, I am not a common thief. I have a 
wife and a little girl at home, and they have nothing, 
nothing to eat. I started out this morning to see if I 
could do some kind of work for someone, to earn food. 
When I knocked at your door and found no one here, 
I felt that it was my right to take what I could, rather 
than risk another refusal and starvation for my wife 
and little girl. 

Mrs. Hardy : If you had asked me for something, I should 
have been glad to help you. But, when I find you steal¬ 
ing, I don’t know what I ought to do. [Enter Alice 
with her father. They stop in surprise at sight of Mrs. 
Hardy, and burglar still holding turkey and bread.] 

Mrs. Hardy: You disobeyed me, Alice, and left the 
kitchen vacant. This man entered and was in the act 
of carrying off our dinner when I came down. 

Man [to Mr. Hardy] : Sir, I beg of you to consider 
the circumstances, before you judge. What if, instead 
of having for them this good food and these beautiful 
toys, you had to see your wife and child starving before 
your eyes! Wouldn’t you be tempted to do almost any¬ 
thing to feed them? My little Elsie would cry for joy if 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 101 

she had a doll like one of these, there; but, you s^e I did 
not take one, much as I wanted it. I took only enough 
to keep them alive. But I give that back. [Lays stolen 
things on table.] Ill promise not to do it again. But, 
please let me go, that I may try to earn something. 

Mr. Hardy : Why, my dear man, this is Christmas Day 
and we want to treat you with Christmas spirit. My 
wife and I will be glad to share with you our Christmas 
bounty; and I am sure that Alice [with a smile at her] 
would like to send your little daughter a Christmas pres¬ 
ent, to make up for her disobedience which, indirectly, 
caused you to be tempted. 

Alice: Oh, yes, papa! Ill give her this doll [holds up 
articles as she mentions them], and this book, and this 
little set of dishes, ’cause I have an old set that I can 
play with. And Ill give her one of these dress patterns 
that Aunt Elsie gave me. I don’t need it, and Ill tell 
Aunt Elsie that it was to a girl named Elsie just like 
her. [Mrs. Hardy meantime has been filling a basket 
with things to eat, including a generous half of the turkey 
and plenty of candy. Hands basket to him.] 

Mrs. Hardy: Take this to your wife. 

Mr. Hardy [taking out pocketbook] : I am not wealthy, 
but I can spare this gold piece. I wish you to accept 
it, with these other things, with my hope that you may 
soon be in a better position. 

Man : I thank you more than I can say. I will 
accept it as a loan, and repay you soon as possible. My 
name is Paul Jefferson and I live at 34 Culler Court. 
I have been promised a job the first of the new year, 
so everything will be all right. I thank you for these 
things, for your spirit of kindness and good will, and, 
most of all, for saving me from the crime I was about to 
commit. 


102 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mr. and Mrs. Hardy: We are glad to help you. We wish 
you a merry Christmas. 

Alice: A merry Christmas to Elsie! 

Mr. Jefferson: Our Christmas will indeed be merry, 
thanks to you. Thank you! Thank you! [Exit with 
things.] 

CURTAIN 


PLAYING SANTA CLAUS 

Boy should be lying ill upon the floor with an old coverlet upon 
him, his father sitting beside him—a larger boy in long trousers 
and old shirt, hair powdered to look gray. 

Old Man [in mournful tone ] : 

I’m out of work, I’m down and out; 

My mind is filled with fear and doubt. 

I’ve had no work for many a day, 

Nor earned a cent in any way. 

I all my furniture have sold, 

My coat that sheltered from the cold; 

I have forgot’ the taste of food. 

I used to think a Power for good 
Helped those who did their very best; 

But now I think that was a jest, 

Made to amuse the rich, and so 
To ridicule the poor and low. 

And now my boy’s sick unto death. 

I fear he’ll soon draw his last breath. 

I’ve sent word to those charity folks— 

Perhaps those offers are all jokes— 

I’ve told them how it was with me, 

But I’ve small hope that there can be 
A man on earth that’s good enough 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


103 


To help a man with luck that’s tough, 

To send a doctor to my son, 

And help to heal my little one. 

But, still, they say, ’tis Christmas time, 

And in the church the bells do chime; 

At Christmas time it may be true 
That poor people can be blessed too. 

[A knock is heard.] 

Old Man [more spiritedly] : 

A knock! a knock! oh, may it be 
That help at Christmas comes to me? 

Enter Doctor —hoy in long coat, high hat, carrying satchel 
Doctor : 

Good evening to you, my poor man, 

So Christmas has come ’round again! 

They tell me that you and your boy 
Have not been having Christmas joy. 

But soon he will forget the pain, 

For I shall make him well again. 

Let’s see what all the trouble is! 

I’ll look at that small tongue of his. 

[Sick hoy sticks out his tongue.] 

Doctor : 

Ah, yes! it is as I had thought, 

That poverty has on him brought 
The illness that will come to all 
On whom want and starvation fall. 

What your son needs, my dear, good man, 

Is to eat as much as he can, 

To eat good food, and wear warm clothes. 

Such care of him will mend your woes. 

Old Man: 

But, Doctor, we have no such things !— 

Might as well ask for diamond rings. 

I have no food, and can get none; 

Oh, save for me my little son! 


104 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Doctor : 

Here’s just the chance for little Jack! 

He’ll give you everything you lack. * 

Jack is my little boy, who says, 

“I wish I could be Santa Claus.” 

He can play “ Santa Claus” and bring 
You what you need, just everything— 

Something to eat, something to wear, 

A nurse to give your son good care. 

In a few minutes I’ll be back 

With a “Santa Claus” made out of Jack. 

[Exit Doctor.] 


Old Man: 

In those old days when I was young 
I used to hear sweet carols sung, 

That told us that on Christmas Eve 
No one should be allowed to grieve. 

But since my wife has passed away, 

I have not had one happy day. 

I guess my little Billy here 

Has never had real Christmas cheer. 

But am I dreaming, or is it so, 

That Doctor was here a minute ago? 

Another knock is heard. Old Man rises and opens the door. 
Enter the Doctor with Jack, carrying two big baskets, one of 
clothing and one of food. They are followed by a little girl in blue 
dress and white cap and apron of a nurse. 


Jack; 

We bring some* Christmas gifts to you, 
And add to them our greeting, too. 


The nurse begins to arrange the pillow of Billy and holds 
a little bottle of medicine. 


in view 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


105 


Doctor: 

The little maiden over there 
Will give your son the best of care; 
About good nursing she’s been taught, 
The proper medicine she’s brought. 

And I’ve found a job for you, my man, 
You’ll earn some money now again. 

Jack: 

And now we’ll leave you to yourselves. 
Unpack your food and fill your shelves. 

Old Man: 

I can not thank you, sir, tonight, 

But know that you have brought the light 
Of Christmas to a man who thought 
That Christmas was the rich man’s lot, 
And that the poor man nothing had 
To do with anything so glad. 

Doctor : 

We want no thanks this holy night. 

We have but tried to do the right,— 

To celebrate this season dear 
By spreading bounteous good cheer. 

But now our other duties call— 

Jack and Doctor : ✓ 

A Happy Christmas to you all! 


106 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


A DOUBLE CHRISTMAS GIFT 

FOR THREE OLDER GIRLS, TWO SMALL GIRLS, TWO LARGER 
BOYS, AND ONE SMALL BOY 

SCENE : Reception room of orphan asylum 

The ringing of a bell is heard. Enter Maidservant. She opens 

door. Enter well-dressed woman, Mrs. Allan Norton. 

Mrs. Norton: Is the Matron in? 

Servant: Yes, ma’am. [Takes card and leaves room . 
Enter Matron.] 

Mrs. Norton : I have come to see about adopting a child. 
I want it as a surprise to my husband for Christmas. 
It would delight him more than anything else in the 
world. 

Matron [in business-like manner] : Boy or girl, and what 
age? 

Mrs. Norton : Well, I had not decided exactly. It does 
not make much difference, just so it is a bright and 
attractive child. 

Matron : I ’ll have the children come in one by one, so 
that you may choose for yourself. 

Mrs. Norton: Very well. 

Exit Matron to arrange for interview. Enter Matron leading 

by the hand a pretty little girl. 

Matron : This is one of the most attractive children we 
have in the Home. Her father is living; but is so drunken 
most of the time, and often so cruel to her, that the 
humane authorities have put her here. 

Mrs. Norton: Yes, she is pretty. But, oh! I want a real 
orphan. Why, her father might decide to claim her just 
as we were becoming attached to her. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


107 


Matron : You could arrange to adopt her so that he could 
not do that. 

Mrs. Norton : Yes, of course. But I do not like the idea. 
She would not seem like my own child at all if I knew all 
the time that she had a drunken father living. No. Let 
me see some of the others, please. 

Matron [to child] : All right, Ruth, you may go now. 
Tell Henry to come in, will you, please? 

Exit Ruth. After a few seconds, enter sharp-looking boy, about 

ten years of age. 

Mrs. Norton [to Matron] : Now, he looks bright. What 
did you say his name is? 

Matron : Henry Morgan. 

Mrs. Norton [to Henry] : Do you like to live here, 
Henry ? 

Henry: Yes, ma’am. 

Mrs, Norton: How would you like to live with me? 

Henry: I don’t know, ma’am. What’ll you gimme for 
Christmas if I do, ma’am? 

Matron [in reprimanding tone] : Henry! 

Henry: Yes, ma’am. 

Matron: You must not speak to the lady in that way, 
Henry. 

Mrs. Norton [to Matron] : Don’t tell him that, please. 
I want him to be natural. [To Henry.] What would 
you want me to give you? 

Henry : Are you rich ? 

Mrs. Norton: I have plenty of money. If a nice little 
boy lived with me, I should make him Very happy. 

Henry: I’m not a nice little boy. I guess you don’t want 
me. [To Matron.] May I go now? 


108 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mrs. Norton: Yes, let him go. He is contented here, 
and does not seem to care for me at all. I should like 
to have a hoy who needed me, whom 1 could help. 

Matron [to Henry] : You may go, then, Henry. Tell 
William to come here. [To Mrs. Norton.] He needs 
someone to take an interest in him. 

Henry: Yes, ma’am. 

Exit Henry. Enter thin, ill-looking boy, very unattractive. 

Matron : This is William Smith. [To William.] Wil¬ 
liam, tell this lady how old you are. 

William [dully, without expression] : I’m twelve goin’ 
on thirteen. 

Mrs. Norton : What do you like to do, Christmas, Wil¬ 
liam ? Do you like to have a tree, and to hang up your 
stocking ? 

William: Naw, I don’t care nothin’ about that. It’s 
silly. 

Mrs. Norton : What do you like to do, William ? 

, William: Nothin’ much. 

Mrs. Norton : But what do you like to play ? 

William: I don’t play much. Henry Morgan gen’ally 
torments me when I’m with the boys, so I don’t play 
with ’em. 

Mrs. Norton : Do you like to read ? 

William : No ’m. 

Mrs. Norton : What kind of work do you do ? 

William: I never work no more’n I have to. I don’t 
like to work. 

Mrs. Norton [to Matron] : Madam, he is impossible. I 
want a child that I can love and cherish as my own. 
Perhaps I shall have to give up my idea. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


109 


Enter abruptly a good-looking little boy, crying at the 
top of his voice. He stops at sight of strange woman. 

Matron : What ’s the matter, Benny ? 

Benny [ beginning to wail afresh] : Oh, Jinny’s gone! 
She’s lost or tramped on or something. She never goes 
away without telling me. I’ve looked every place and 
I can’t find her! [Cries aloud.] 

Matron: Now look here, Benny. Jinny’s all right and 
having a good time this afternoon. Bridget took her 
down town with her. She’ll be back any time now. 

Benny [doubtfully] : Are you sure? She didn’t tell me. 

Matron: She didn’t have time to tell you, Benny, after 
' I decided to let her go. Why, there she comes now. 

Enter from outside, beautiful little girl with Servant. Servant 
passes on through another door. JLittle girl stops and Benny runs 
to her. They stand in background, talking in low tones together. 

Mrs. Norton [who has been watching Benny with eager 
eyes] : Oh, madam! You must let me have that little 
boy. Why did you not let me see him before? 

Matron [ hesitatingly ] : Really, Mrs. Norton, I want you 
to be pleased, and you are at liberty to take any of the 
children but if you could see how devoted to each other 
this brother and sister are, you would realize that it 
would be cruel to separate them. I— 

Mrs. Norton : But, my dear madam, can I not take both ? 
I told you it made no difference about that, and they are 
so adorable. My husband would be delighted. Oh, do 
not refuse me. 

Matron: Why, of course, if you would take both, we 
should be delighted. Their interest is ours, and it would 
be best for them, I am sure. They are not the kind of 
children that are ordinarily found in an orphan asylum. 
Many people have wanted to adopt one or the other, 
but no one wanted two; and it was plainly too cruel to 
separate them. 


no 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mrs. Norton: It seems so strange. The little boy is the 
image of my husband, and the girl of his sister—oh, 
madam, can you tell me how they came here? 

Matron: It was after that terrible railroad accident sev¬ 
eral years ago. No one claimed them, so it was sup¬ 
posed that their parents were killed and that they had 
no relatives. We could never find out what their name 
was. The locket around the little girl’s neck was engraved 
with “Virginia,” so we called her that. There was a 
“B” embroidered on the little boy’s coat. We thought 
perhaps it stood for Benjamin. 

Mrs. Norton: Bennett! Bennett and Virginia Sher¬ 
man! They are my husband’s own nephew and niece. 
They must be! They must be! 

Matron : Is it really true, Mrs. Norton ? I have so often 
wished that those lovely children might be reared by 
some of their own family. 

Mrs. Norton : My husband and I were abroad at the 
time of that accident. He was studying in Germany. 
It was reported to us that the whole family was killed, 
and we believed the report. The children’s mother was 
his only sister, and he was devoted to her. Oh, this 
discovery is wonderful. This is surely a happy, happy 
Christmas time. Oh, I wonder if they will want to 
come with me. 

Matron : Come here, children, and talk to this lady. 

Mrs. Norton: Virginia, would you like to come and live 
with your own uncle and aunt? We’ll make this the 
happiest Christmas you'have ever had. 

Little Girl: Maybe I’d like it, but I’d rather stay with 
Benny. 

Mrs. Norton: And Benny, would you like it, too? 

Benny: We’d like it if both of us could come. ’Cause 
Jinny and I just has to be together. 

Mrs. Norton : Then you shall both come and be my little 
children, four uncle will be your Christmas present, 
and you will be his. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


111 


AUNT HEPSY.’S CHRISTMAS STOCKING 


CHARACTERS 

Mrs. Denton, known as Aunt Hepsy 


Anna 

Phil 

Lois 


■Her nieces and nephews SmileS; a new sboy 
Mrs. Barlow 

STAGE ARRANGEMENT 


Jane, the maid 
Grim, a servant 


Newton 


S)et the back of the stage to represent a pleasant living room. 
In front of this have a curtain about four feet from the front of 
stage, to give space for the street scene between this curtain and 
the one at front of stage. 

SCENE I —Living room in the Denton home 
Discovered, Newton, Phil, Lois and Anna 

Newton: Say, isn’t it jolly to be here for Christmas? It 
seems like old times for us to be together here. 

Lois : It surely was lovely in Aunt Hepsy to ask us all 


here. 


Phil: Won’t it be fun for us to be together Christmas 
day? It will be the first time for—let’s see—four years. 

Anna: How time flies. It doesn’t seem four years since 
we were all here for Christmas and made the cook cross 
because we ate up her cookies so fast. 

Newton : And Phil dressed like a ghost to scare you 
girls and fell down stairs and scared himself most to 
death. [All laugh.] 

Phil: I thought I had broken every bone in my body and 
I was quite disgusted when Aunt Hepsy insisted I 
wasn’t injured at all. 

Lois: Say, now, folks, we’ve got to talk about Christmas 
presents. What we’re going to give and— 

Phil: I’m going to give Anna a nice little doll and— 

Anna [to Phil] : I shall give you a pretty red horn to 
make, toot-toot music with. 



112 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Lois: Don’t be foolish. Let’s decide first whether we 
shall have a tree or hang up our stockings. 

Newton : I ’m tired of Christmas trees. I think it will 
be more fun to hang up our stockings. 

Anna: I think so too. We can sit around the fire early 
Christmas morning and pull the presents out the way 
we used to years ago. 

Phil: I think that will be lots of fun. We’ll guess what’s 
in each package before we open it. I vote for the 
stockings 

Lois: So do I. I wonder if Aunt Hepsy will like the 
present we have for her. 

Newton : Of course she will. The picture is fine, I think. 

Phil: I think it was a clever idea for us to have that 
large picture made from the photograph she has of her 
little boy. 

Anna: Oh, say, let’s make a large stocking to hang up 
for Aunt Hepsy and put the picture in it. 

Newton: Just the thing. How long is the picture? 

Lois: About three feet with the frame. 

Phil: Then we’ll make a great big stocking and hang 
the picture inside of it. That’s the cleverest idea yet. 

Anna: I’ve got to go to the stores this morning and 
I’ll get the cloth. 

Newton: I’ve got to get some things so I’ll go with you 
and advise you what to select. 

Anna: Would you suggest percale or cheviot or— 

Phil: Good land, Ann, he doesn’t know whether you’re 
talking about cloth or—a—breakfast food. 

Anna : Of course he doesn’t, but I ’ll be glad to have him 
along. I’ll get ready. [Exit.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


113 


Newton: Well, I’ll have to go powder my nose if I’m 
going.with Anna. Farewell and au revoir. [Goes out 
jauntily.] 

Phil: Guess I’ll see if I can do anything for Aunt 
Hepsy. [Exit.] 

Lois: I must do up some presents to send home. What 
a merry, thrilling time Christmas is. I just love it. 
[Rises; voices are heard off stage.] 

Jane [off stage] : Oh, is that so? I’ll let you know I 
don’t care what you think, and I wouldn’t think for a 
minute of giving you a Christmas present, so. 

Enter Jane 

Lois: What’s the matter, Jane? 

Jane: Oh, it’s that smart, stuck-up, big-headed, conceited 
Grim. He ain’t a bit nice looking an’ I don’t like ’im 
a-tall. He needn’t to think I’ll give the like of him a 
Christmas present. 

Lois: Of course you don’t think anything of Grim, Jane. 
He’s not nice looking enough for a girl like you. 

Jane: Oh, J don’t know —he’s not so bad lookin’. Grim 
ain ’t. 

Lois: And he’s way to old for you. His hair will soon 
be falling out. 

Jane: That’s no such a thing. He’s not old a-tall—but 
I’ll not give ’im a Christmas present. 

Lois: Of course you won’t; that would be foolish. [Exit.] 

Jane [looking after her crossly] : I don’t see why she 
says that. I guess I can give ’im a Christmas present 
if I want to an’ no harm done. Borne folks make me 
tired. I wonder if he’d like a—fine silk necktie. He’d 
look nice in brown an’ yellow, Grim would. 

Enter Grim 


114 


JIIOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Grim: If there was only a piece o’ mistletoe fastened up 
to the ceilin’ I’d think you was standin’ here waitin’ 
for a kiss, Miss Jane. 

Jane: Now don’t you be thinkin’, Grim, that I’m carin’ 
’bout any kisses, an’ as for you, I wouldn’t kiss you, not 
for anything. 

Grim: An’ as for you, Miss Jane, why should I kiss you 
when they’s a nice-lookin’ girl I know that’s glad to git 
’em. You ought to see, just once, how fine lookin’ she is.. 

Jane [tossing her head ] : Then the two of you must make 
a pair that’d break the lookin’-glass. [Goes out.] 

Grim: She needn’t think I’ll waste any money on a 
Chris’mus present for ’er—she thinks herself too smart. 
[Walks across floor thinking.] I wonder how she’d like 
a—a bracelet for Chris’mus. Would she like that better’n 
a long string o’ beads, say fancy red ones? [Goes out.] 

Enter Mrs. Denton 

Mrs. Denton: I’m glad to have the young people here 
for Christmas. They bring life to the house and help 
me forget the loneliness of the holidays. [Sighs.] Christ¬ 
mas is never merry for me since I lost my little boy. 
How different it would be if he were here* Instead of 
being sad I better go see if Jane is getting on well with 
the Christmas work. [Starts over.] 

Enter Jane 

Jane: Mis’ Barlow is here ma’am, an’ wants to see 
you. 

Mrs. Denton: Send her in here, please. [Exit Jane.] 
Enter Mrs. Barlow 

Mrs. Barlow: I’m sorry to trouble you, Mrs. Denton, 
when I know you are busy, but I came on a matter of 
—well, sort of business. I am on the Civic Christmas 
Committee and we are trying to find a number of people 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


115 


who will take poor children into their homes for the 
day and give them a merry Christmas. I wondered if 
you wouldn’t take one or two little folks and make them 
happy—it’s just for one day, you know 

Mrs. Denton: Oh, no! No, indeed! I wouldn’t think 
of it. I can’t stand it to have a child in the house since 
I lost my little boy. I am sorry to refuse, but I can’t 
do it, Mrs. Barlow. 

Mrs. Barlow : I don’t want to urge you, hut it seems to 
me that if you once had children in your home you 
would get over this feeling and enjoy the little folks. 
They might be a pleasure to you. 

Mrs. Denton: No, I just can’t think of it. I have some 
of my nieces and nephews with me this Christmas and 
I don’t want anyone else. 

Mrs. Barlow: All right. I’ll hurry along for I want 
to make a number of calls. I hope you have a Merry 
Christmas. [Exit.] 

Mrs. Denton: She will think I’m hard but I can’t help 
it. [Exit.] 

CURTAIN 

NOTE—This is the inner curtain to conceal room at back and allow 
for the street scene. 


SCENE II—On the street 

Enter Newton and Anna, wearing wraps and carrying 
packages 

Newton: I wonder if we have everything we needed to 
get. [They pause.] 

Anna: No, of course not, but we’ll not think of what 
we’ve forgotten until we get home. Oh, here comes a 
little boy crying. 

Newton: I wonder what’s the matter with him. Seems 
to feel pretty bad. 


116 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Enter Smiles, from, opposite side 

Anna: What’s the matter, little boy ? Did you get hurt? 
[Smiles stops and cries.] 

Newton: Anything we can do for you? 

Anna : Tell us what your name is. 

Smiles: It— it’s—S miles. [$ohs.] 

Newton: Smiles? Well, you don’t look much like your 
name. 

Smiles: I guess you wouldn’t smile neither if you didn’t 
have no place to stay Chris’mus an’ nobody to give you 
no presents an’ good Chris’mus dinner ner nuthin’. 
[Rubs eyes.] 

Anna- Where do you live? 

Smiles: Don’t live nowheres. Ain’t got no place to live. 
I been stayin’ with ol’ Mis’ Martin but she’s got sick 
an’ they’ve took ’er off an’ I ain’t got nobody to stay 
with. 

Anna: You poor little fellow. [Aside to Newton.] He’s 
a dear child and nice looking. How I wish we could— 

Newton: But we can’t. Aunt Hepsy wouldn’t— 

Anna: No, she wouldn’t have him in the house. 

Smiles [taking Newton’s hand] : I wish you’d take me 
home with you. 

Newton : I wish I could, Smiles. 

Smiles: I’ll be awful good, honest I will. 

Newton [aside to Anna] : I can’t stand this. Let’s take 
him with us. Grim can keep him upstairs and Aunt 
Hepsy needn’t know he’s there. 

Anna: Oh, we don’t dare. 

Newton: We’ll just keep him till I can find a place for 
him. We can give him some Christmas presents and a 
good feed. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


117 


Anna : I’m afraid of Aunt Hepsy. 

Newton: I’m not. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt 
her—or us. [To Smiles.] Come on, Smiles, we’ll take 
you along with us but you’ll have to do just as we tell 
you. 

Smiles [happily] : Say, if I don’t, you kin beat me wid 
a stick o’ wood, honest. 

Anna [to Newton] : We’ll take him in the back door. 

Newton: Yes, and hide him upstairs. Don’t worry. 

Anna: I’ll borrow a suit of clothes from Mrs. Dean, 
next door, who has several boys, and dress him up. 

[They exeunt with Smiles.] 

CURTAIN 


SCENE III—The Denton living room 
Discovered, Jane, dusting room 

Jane : That Grim just makes me tired, he does. He thinks 
he’s the whole thing, the homely, goggle-eyed smarty. 
I could go with a lot of better fellows than he is, any 
day. Tim Kelly, the policeman, thinks I’m all right 
an’ he’s better lookin’, too. [Stops dusting and thinks.] 
I guess I’ll go to the movies with Tim tonight if he 
wants me to. 

Enter Lois 

Lois [teasingly] : Well, Jane, have you bought a present 
for Grim yet? Maybe you’re making him a pair of slip¬ 
pers on the sly. 

Jane [scornfully] : Now, then, Miss Lois, don’t you be 
thinkin’ I’ll give that brazen-faced, rattle-brained Grim 
a Christmas present. I can go with better fellows than 

him. 


118 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Lois: Of course you can. He’s no earthly good. 

Jane [flaring up] : I don’t know why you need to say 
that, Miss. He’s not a bad sort a-tall, Grim ain’t. Some 
folks would call ’im real han ’some. 

Lois [laughing] : There, I knew you were planning to give 
him a Christmas present. What is it to be ? 

Jane: I guess I’ve got. better sense than to spend my 
money on presents for him. [Tosses head.] 

Lois: That’s right, save your money. [Goes out laughing.] 

Jane [meditating] : Slippers, she said. I wonder now 
how he’d like a nice pair to put on at night when his 
feet’s tired out. Guess I’ll git ’im some. 

Enter Grim 

Grim : Well, now, Miss Jane, what feller are you standin’ 
here a-dreamin’ ’bout? I should think you’d be busy, 
what with Chris’mus most here. 

Jane [dusting rapidly] : I guess it’s nothin’ to you, Grim, 
who I’m dreamin’ ’bout so long’s it ain’t you. So, now. 

Grim : I ’ll say you better not dream ’bout me ’cause my 
girl that I’m smilin’ on won’t like it. What you ’spose 
she’d like to have me give ’er for Chris’mus? 

Jane [loftily] : I don’t care what presents you buy so 
you don’t give none to me. 

Grim [very surprised] : Say, now, you don’t think I’d 
give you no present, do you? [Jane makes a face at 
him and goes off. He stands looking after her.] Say, 
now, she’s some girl, Jane is. I wonder if she’d rather 
have a nice gold pin than a bracelet. I guess I’ll git ’er 
a swell pin. [Exit.] 

Enter Anna and Newton 

Anna: I’m so nervous I don’t know what to do. 

Newton : I feel sort of on needles and pins myself. 
[Walks floor.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 119 

Enter Lois and Phil 

Phil: What’s the matter Newt? You act—sort of queer. 

Lois: Anna, you look half sick. What’s the matter? 

Anna: Something — [looks around cautiously] dreadful. 

Phil: Tell us, this minute. 

Anna: Well, we found a poor newsboy on the street, 
crying because he didn’t have any place to go. 

Newton : The little shaver begged us to let him come 
with us so we— 

Lois: Oh, you didn’t bring him here ? 

Anna: Yes, .we’ve got him upstairs. 

Phil: Say, if Aunt Hepsy finds it out she’ll— 

Lois: I guess she will. 

Phil: We’ll have to see that she doesn’t know he’s here. 
Can’t we find some place to send him. 

Newton [firmly] : He’s going to stay here until after 
Christmas so as to get some presents and a good feed. 

Phil : All right; we ’ll try to keep him dark. 

Lois: Now we must all go work on the big stocking for 
Aunt Hepsy. 

Anna: Yes, and make popcorn balls and do forty other 
things. [All exeunt.] 


CURTAIN 


120 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

SCENE IV—Living room Christmas eve 
Discovered, Mrs. Denton [Dim light on stage] , 

Mrs. Denton [sitting musing sadly] : Christmas eve is 
such a sad time. I shall be glad when tomorrow is 
over. [Smiles sticks his head in and stands listening.] 

Mrs. Denton : It reminds me so forcibly of my little boy 
who died at Christmas time. How I wish he could be 
here tonight. Oh, to have him with me. [Wipes eyes.] 
What is better than a nice boy? Why did I have to 
lose mine? I’ll go look at his picture; perhaps that 
will comfort me. [Smiles quickly darts away. She goes 
off opposite side.] 

Enter Lois, Anna, Phil and Newton 

Phil: Now we must get the big stocking up, ready for 
the picture we have for Aunt Hepsy. 

Lois: I’m sure it will look fine on the wall. 

Anna: Which, the picture or the big stocking? 

Lois [laughing] : I was thinking of the stocking, but of 
course the picture will look fine. [They fasten the stock¬ 
ing, which should he long enough to hide Smiles when 
he gets in it, to the wall.] 

Newton: This is splendid. 

Phil: Won’t it surprise Aunt Hepsy? 

Anna: Let’s go finish making the candy. We won’t put 
the picture in it until we’re sure Aunt Hepsy is in bed. 
[All exeunt.] 

Enter Smiles 

Smiles [looking about cautiously] : Oh, jimminy, see the 
big stockin’! I bet that’s for the nice lady that wants 
a little boy. She said she’d like to have one in the 
house. I know what I’m goin’ ter do. I’m goin’ to 
git in this stockin’ an’ be ’er Chris’mus present. Them 
folks told me I was to stay upstairs all the while, but 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


121 


jimminy, I gits tired settin’ up there all the while. It 
don’t matter if I walk ’round long’s I don’t hurt nuthin’. 
[Looks around the room,.] Now I’ll git in the stockin’ 
so’s the nice lady’ll find me. [There should he a slit 
at the hack of the stocking so Smiles can slip into it 
and stand.] 

Enter Mrs. Denton 

Mrs. Denton [looking m surpi'ise] : Mercy! What an 
immense stocking. This is some of Lois and Anna’s 
work. I wonder if it is meant for me? What can they 
have for me that takes a stocking like this? [Looks at 
stocking.] There’s something in it. Oh, oh, it’s alive! 
I saw it move. [Moves hack quickly.] But*surely I 
don’t need to be afraid of it. I’ll see what’s in it. [She 
goes over to the stocking and looks in the top.] Oh, oh! 
[Screams.] A child! [Sits and covers face with hands.] 

Enter Lois, Anna, Phil and Newton 

Phil: What is it? 

Anna: What’s the matter, Aunt Hepsy? 

Mrs. Denton : How—how dare you ? 

Lois: Dare what, Aunt Hepsy? 

Mrs. Denton : Put that in the stocking. How BARE 
you? 

Newton [looking in stocking ]: Well—I’ll—be—blessed! 

Smiles [peeking over the top of stocking] : I’m a Chris’- 
mus present for the nice lady. She said she wants a 
little boy. I’m goin’ to be ’er boy now. 

Newton: The idea of you coming here. 

Anna: Let’s get him away quick. [Newton and Phil 
lift Smiles out of, the top of the stocking.] 

Newton: Now you come on. 

Smiles: I’m the lady’s Chris’mus present. [Throws him¬ 
self on the floor hy Mrs. Denton and cries.] I won’t go. 


122 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DL\LOGUES AND PLAYS 


Mrs. Denton: Where did he come from? 

Anna: We found him on the street crying because he 
had no place to stay. We felt so sorry we brought him 
here. 

Newton : But we ’ll get rid of him right away. 

Smiles: I won’t go. I’m the lady’s present. 

Mrs. Denton: Stand up so I can see you. [Smiles gets 
up and stands by her smiling pathetically.] 

Smiles: Won’t you have me fer a Chris’mus present? 
I wants a nice ma. 

Phil: We’ll take him away, Ajjnt Hepsy. 

Mrs. Denton: You’ll do nothing of the kind. If he 
wants to stay with me he shall. 

Smiles [taker her hand] : Oh, jimminy! Now I got a 
home an’ a nice ma. Merry Chris’mus. [Mrs. Denton 
smiles at him; the others smile at each other.] 

CURTAIN 


GRANDFATHER’S BRIGHT CHRISTMAS PLAN 

CHARACTERS 

Grandfather Dale 
Mrs. West, his daughter 
Ada ) 

Vera > His grand-daughters 
Cora ) 

Mr. Parker, a lawyer 
Mrs. Jones, a neighbor 

SCENE— Mrs. West’s living room 
Discovered, Mrs. West and the three girls 

Mrs. West: Now girls, since Grandfather has decided 
to make us a visit I hope you will be very kind and 
pleasant to him. I want him to think a great deal of 
you. 



CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


123 


Ada: Oh, dear, what a bother to have him come now. 

Cora: When we are so busy with Christmas parties and 
entertainments. 

Vera: And so much to do getting our presents finished. 

Mrs. West: I’m very busy too; what with getting ready 
for Christmas and doing all my public work I’m rushed 
to death, but we must not neglect Grandfather. We 
must make him feel we are glad to have him here. 

Ada: Yes, of course. 

Cora: We’ll try to give him a little time. 

Vera: But it will be a dreadful bother when we’re so 
busy. 

Mrs. West: He may be here any time now. [Exit.] 

Ada : I must go finish that lovely breakfast cap I’m mak¬ 
ing for Dorothy. It’s going to be a dream. I’d like 
to keep it for myself it’s so becoming. 

Cora: Well, I’ve got to go to the church and practice 
for the entertainment. Our tableau is going to be fine. 

Vera: I’ve got to go over to Bessie’s and help string 
popcorn. 

Enter Mrs. West and Grandfather Dale 

Mrs. West: It is splendid that you could make us this 
visit. Here are the girls. You’ll hardly know them, 
they’ve grown so. [The girls stand about him and shake 
hands.] 

Ada: We’re very glad to see you, Grandpa dear. 

Cora: You’re looking just fine. 

Vera: We hope you’ll have a dandy visit with us. 

Grandfather: Well, well, you’re a pretty fine bunch of 
gran’-daughters. If you’re just as good as you look, 
you’re all right. It’s so long since I saw you I’ll have 
to get acquainted with you again. 


124 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Ada: Oh, we’re not very goad looking. 

Cora : And we ’re not so very well behaved. 

Vera : But we hope you ’ll like us anyway, Grandfather. 

Mrs. West [pulls easy chair forward ] : You sit down and 
rest, father, while I see about some lunch for you. [He 
sits; exit Mrs. West.] 

Ada: I hope you had a nice trip. I just love to travel 
on the cars, but it gets tiresome. Now I hope you’ll 
excuse me, Grandfather, but I’ve just got to finish a 
Christmas present for one of the girls. [Exit.] 

Cora: It’s surely good to have you here, Grandfather. 
I hope you can stay a long time. Now, you won’t mind 
if I run off, will you? I’ve got to go to the church and 
practice for the entertainment. [Exit.] 

Vera: This is a dreadfully busy time. I’ve got to go 
and string popcorn for the Christmas tree; but 
I know you’d like to rest awhile, so you won’t mind, will 
you Grandfather? Mother will be in right away to 
visit with you. [Hurries off.] 

Grandfather : Humph! They must be dreadful busy when 
they don’t have five minutes time to visit with me. One 
of ’em seems as selfish as the other. I guess it’s a good 
idea I fixed up that Christmas plan of mine. That’ll 
show me which is the best one of ’em. 

Enter Mrs. West 

Mrs. West: I’ve got lunch fixed for you, father. I think 
it’s a good plan to have something to eat after one has 
been traveling. You come out and eat, then one of our 
neighbors is coming over to visit with you. He’s a very 
nice old man. I’ve got to go to the hall to a meeting of 
the Christmas Committee of the Women’s Club. I hate 
to run off but you won’t mind when you have a caller. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 125 

Grandfather: All right, I’ll come. [Exit Mrs. West.] 
Well, Martha seems as bad as the girls. I should think 
she could stay home when I first get here. I don’t like 
this hut I’ll keep still and see how things go. [Exit.] 

CURTAIN 


SCENE II—Room as before 
Discovered , Grandfather, walking floor 

Grandfather: Things don’t get any better. Every one 
of ’em’s so busy they don’t have time to look at me 
hardly. I d have stayed home if I’d known it was 
goin’ to be this way. I’m glad I fixed up my Chris’mas 
plan. I bought a dressing gown that’s too long for 
me; sleeves come down over my hands and it comes 
clear to the floor. I’m going to ask one of the girls 
to cut it off an’ hem it up for me. Then I brought a 
pair of old socks that’s full o’ holes; I’ll ask one of 
’em to mend ’em for me. The other one I’ll ask to make 
me a flannel bag to put my water bottle in. This is my 
plan: I’m going to ask ’em to do these things an’ the 
one that does, her work the best, without making a fuss 
over it, I’ll give a fine pair of gold beads that belonged 
to their gran’ma, for a Chris’mas present. They’ll all 
three want ’em and this is a good way to find out which 
one deserves ’em. 

Enter Ada 

Ada: How are you getting along, Grandpa dear? I’m 
so busy I don’t see much of you. 

Grandfather: No, you don’t. There’s something I want 
you to do for me, Ada. It won’t take very long and I 
know you ’ll be glad to do it for your Gran ’pa, won’t you ? 

Ada [hesitatingly] : Of course—if I can. 


126 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Grandfather: I bought me a new dressing gown and 
the sleeves are so long they come down on my hands 
an’ the skirt comes most to the floor. I want it right 
away, to wear, want it before Chris’mas, an’ I’d like to 
have you cut it off an’ hem it up round the bottom and 
the sleeves. You’ll do this for your Gran’pa, won’t 
you? 

Ada: Oh, I’m just awfully busy. 

Grandfather: But this won’t take long. 

Ada : It seems to me it would take a long time to do all 
that sewing. I’ve got some presents I just have to 
finish, £tnd we’re practicing, you know, and I’m getting 
ready for the party Christmas eve. I don’t see how I 
can do it» Grandfather. 

Grandfather: Well, if you can’t I ’spose you can’t. 

Ada : I ’m dreadfully sorry, but you see how it is. 

Grandfather: Yes, I understand. 

Ada : Mercy, I must rush or I ’ll be late for the practice. 
[Rushes off.] 

Grandfather [grimly] : There’s one young lady won’t 
get her gran’mother’s gold beads. 

Enter Cora 

Cora: I hope you’re having a good time, Grandfather. 
I’m so busy I don’t get to see much of you. 

Grandfather: No, you don’t. There’s something I want 
you to do for me, Cora. It won’t take long and you’ll 
be glad to help me, won’t you? 

Cora [hesitatingly] : Of course—if I- can. 

Grandfather : . I bought me a new dressing gown and the 
sleeves are so long they come down on my hands, an’ 
the skirt comes most to the floor. I want it right away 
to wear, want it before Christmas, an I’d like to have 
you cut it off an’ hem it up round the bottom and the 
sleeves. You’ll do this for your Gran’pa, won’t you? 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


127 


Cora: I’d love to, but—I’m dreadfully busy. 

Grandfather : But this won’t take long. 

Cora: Oh, it would take me a long while to do all that 
sewing, I’ve got such a lot to do now before Christmas 
that it makes me tired to think of it. You don’t know 
how busy I am, Grandpa. 

Grandfather: Well, if you can’t I ’spose you can’t. 

Cora: I’m frightfully sorry, but you understand, don’t 
you? 

Grandfather: Yes, I understand. 

Cora: I’ve got to go this minute. We’re going down to 
look at a present for Miss Evans. [Hurries out.} 

Grandfather: There goes another girl who won’t get her 
gran’mother’s gold beads. 

Enter Vera 

Vera: How you getting along, Grandfather? I don’t 
get a chance to see much of you. 

Grandfather: So I notice. There’s something I want 
you to do for me, Vera. It won’t take long and you’ll 
be glad to help me, won’t you? 

Vera [hesitates] : Well— if I can. 

Grandfather: I bought me a new dressing gown, and 
the sleeves are so long they come down on my hands, 
an’ the skirt comes most to the floor. I want it right 
away, want it before Christmas, an’ I’d like to have 
you cut if off an’ hem it up round the bottom an’ the 
sleeves. You’ll do this for your Gran’father, won’t 
you ? 

Vera: Of course I would if I wasn’t so busy but— 

Grandfather: This won’t take long. 


128 CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

Vera: Seems to me that’s a lot of work, to hem a dress¬ 
ing gown up round the bottom an’ round the sleeves. 
I’ve got my presents to finish and wrap, and with all 
the extra things, getting ready for Christmas an’ the 
program, really I don’t see how I can do your gown, 
Grandpa. 

Grandfather: Well, if you can’t, you can’t. 

Vera: I’d do it in a minute if it were any other time 
but just before Christmas. You won’t mind, will you? 

Grandfather: No, that won’t help any. 

Vera: Dear me, why do I stand here talking when I’ve 
got to go over to the dressmaker’s this minute.. She’s 
fixing my dress for the Christmas party. [Hurries out.] 

Grandfather: There’s one more girl who won’t get her 
gran’mother’s gold beads for a Chris’mas present. 
[Sighs.] 

Enter Mrs. Jones 

Mrs. Jones: Good afternoon, Mr. Dale. [Sits.] I 
thought I’d come over and visit with you a few minutes 
because I knew Mrs. West had to go out on Christmas 
work. I suppose you don’t see much of her and the 
girls. They’re dreadfully busy; they always are, but 
now they have more than ever on their minds because 
of Chris’mas. 

Grandfather: They’re gone most of the time. I don’t 
have any visits with ’em. Might as well have stayed 
home. 

Mrs. Jones: Oh, you mus’n’t say that. Christmas is a 
very merry time, isn’t it? 

Grandfather: Humph! I don’t see as it’s very merry 
here with the folks gone all the while. Say, do you 
know where there’s a lawyer? 

Mrs. Jones: Lawyer Parker has his office near here. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 129 

Grandfather: Wish you’d telephone for him to come 
over here. 

Mrs. Jones: My sakes, that sounds serious to send for 
a lawyer, but I’ll see if he can come. [Exit.] 

Grandfather: I’m going to fix those girls so they’ll he 
sorry they didn’t have a few minutes to spend on their 
Grandfather. 

Enter Mrs. Jones 

Mrs. Jones: He’ll be over right away. I hope you’re 
not going to do anything you’ll be sorry for. You know 
it’s sort of risky to deal with the law. I had an uncle 
once who fooled with law till he got rid of all he had. 

Grandfather: You needn’t worry ’bout me. 

Mrs. Jones: Here he comes. I’ll have to go as soon as 
he gets here. [She goes over and admits the caller.] 

# Enter Lawyer Parker 

Parker : Are you the gentleman who wished to consult 
a lawyer? 

Grandfather: I am. Be seated, sir. [Parker sits.] I 
had a little piece of work for each of my three grand¬ 
daughters to f do. The first refused to- do hers, so I 
offered the same work to the second; she refused and 
I offered it to the third. Not one of them will do this 
for me, so instead of giving them a Christmas present, 
I’m going to punish them. 

Parker: Now, sir, don’t do anything hard at Christmas 
time. 

Grandfather: I want you to draw up a paper giving 
each of these grand-daughters one dollar each and the 
rest of what I have left them in my will goes to the 
S. P. C. A. in Boston. 

Parker : But, sir, have you considered this matter thor¬ 
oughly ? Your grand-daughters are very fine girls and— 


180 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Grandfather: I want you to go to your office and fix 
up a paper the way I’ve told you and let me see it. 

Parker: Certainly, I will, but you know Christmas is a 
time of good will and giving—not of taking away. Per¬ 
haps if you’d wait a few days you might change your 
mind. 

Grandfather: Have this paper fixed up for me to see by 
tomorrow, sir. That ’sail. Good-day, sir. [ Exit Parker.] 

Grandfather: I’ll show ’em I will. 

CURTAIN 

SCENE III—Room as before 

Enter Ada 

Ada: I hurried home as soon as I could so’s to do that 
work for Grandfather. It’s a shame not to do that 
much for him when he’s such a dear. I can sew it^on 
the machine and it won’t take long. I’ll run up and 
do it now while he’s over visiting Mrs. Jones. [Exit.] 

Enter Mrs. West 

Mrs. West: We’ve all been so busy lately that we’ve 
just neglected poor father. Now this evening I’m going 
to keep the girls home and we’ll have a nice visit to¬ 
gether. 

Enter Cora 

Cora: Bear me, I’m tired. I hurried home before the 
committee meeting was over because there was some work 
I wanted to do. 

Mrs. West: Well, get it done so we can have a visit with 
Grandfather. If we don’t look out he’ll think we are 
neglecting him. 

Enter Ada 

Cora: All right, I think we better. [Exit Cora and Mrs. 
West.] 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


131 


Ada: I fixed Grandpa’s dressing gown, shortened the 
sleeves and cut it off around the bottom and hemmed 
it. I feel lots better since I got it done. [Exit.] 

Enter Grandfather 

Grandfather: I stopped at that lawyer’s but he had 
been called out of town and hasn’t done a thing about 
fixing that paper. I’ll not fool with him very long; 
I’ll get somebody else to write it. [Sits.] 

Enter Mrs. West 

Mrs. West : Now, father, I want you to rest. 

Grandfather: Rest? Huh! I haven’t done anything 
but rest since I got here. 

Mrs. West : But I want you ‘to rest now so we can have 
a good visit this evening. We’re all going to stay home 
and have a good time. 

Enter Ada and Vera 

Ada: Yes, a good, old-fashioned time with Grandpa tell¬ 
ing us some of his pioneer stories. 

Vera: That’s what I say. [Sits.] 

Enter Cora 

Cora: Well, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but 
I &ay so too. 

Mrs. West: We’ll just all sit down and begin our visit. 

Vera [jumping up] : Oh, if Grandpa is going to tell 
stories he ought to have his dressing gown on and feel 
comfortable. I’ll go get it. 

Grandfather: You needn’t get it. Those long sleeves 
an’ that long skirt make me nervous. 

Vera: But it isn’t long, Gran’daddy. I cut it off an’ 
fixed it like you said. [Ada and Cora jump up with a 
scream.] 


132 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Ada: You cut it off? W’y, I did, myself. 

Cora: You cut it off ? Well, so did I. 

Vera: But he asked me to do it. 

Ada: No, he asked me to cut it off. 

Cora: W’y, no, he certainly asked me to and I did. 

Grandfather: It must look fine now if you all had a 
hand at it. 

Vera: I’ll get it. [She runs out.] 

Mrs. West [laughing] : This is an interesting tale. 

Grandfather [grimly] : There won’t be any tail left ; 
they’ve cut it all off. 

Enter Vera ibith dressing gown 

The dressing gown should be made of bright material with sleeves 

that come above Grandfather’s elbows and the skirt above his 

knees. ^ * 

Ada: Let’s try it on. [She and Cora take off Grand¬ 
father’s coat.] 

Vera: I hope it isn’t ruined. [She holds the gown for 
him to slip on.] 

Grandfather [angrily] : There, now! A nice looking 
thing you’ve made of this. [Mrs. West and girls shout 
with laughter.] You’ve spoiled it entirely. Look at 
these sleeves! Look at the bottom of it—way up above 
my knees. [Mrs. West and girls continue to laugh.] 
Laugh if you want to! I can’t see anything funny ’bout 
spoilin’ a good new dressing gown. 

Ada: It is about right for me for a blouse. 

Grandfather [pulling gown off and throwing it on floor] : 
I must say you’re bright girls. 

Cora: Well, anyway we showed you that we wanted to 
do something for you. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


133 


Vera: It wouldn’t have been nice for us not to do as 
you asked us. 

Grandfather: Why didn’t you see it was getting too 
short ? 

Cora : I was so anxious to get it fixed that I cut off some 
without looking to see how short it was. 

Grandfather: Well, I’ll wear it tonight, then I’ll buy 
another. [They help him put it back on and all laugh 
again.] 

Ada: We’ll buy you another one for a Christmas present, 
Gran ’daddy. 

Cora: Yes, we surely will. 

Mrs. West: Come, let’s fix some sandwiches to eat while 
Grandfather tells stories. 

Vera: Oh, yes. [Mrs. West and girls exeunt.] 

Grandfather: I guess it’s just as well that lawyer didn’t 
fix that paper. [Scratches head thoughtfully.] What 
am I goin’ to do now? I can’t give ’em each one the 
gold beads. [Thinks.] I guess they’ll have to take turns 
wearin’ ’em. [Looks at dressing gown and laughs.] 

CURTAIN 


THE COMING OF CHRISTMAS 

FOR FIFTEEN OR MORE CHILDREN 
COSTUMES 

Pilgrim, white dress with black cape and hood (black shawl can 
be draped for this) ; Pleasure, a very fancy, bright-colored gown; 
Wealth, as rich a gown as possible, with jewelry and ornaments 
in the hair; Unselfishness, dark gown trimmed with light blue; 
Kind Thoughts, white trimmed with pink; Giving, white trimmed 
with yellow; Spirit of Christmas, white with elaborate trimming 
of tinsel and a small tinsel-trimmed crown; Prophet, wears dark 
robe and turban. 



184 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


STAGE ARRANGEMENT 

(Leave room at the back of stage for the tableau. In front of this 
space hang curtains, festooned with evergreen, which can be drawn 
to show tableau. In* front of these curtains the various speakers 
give their lines. 

Enter Prophet who speaks: 

Christmas comes over the eastern hills 
With a radiance born from above; 

But its spirit you’ll not discover 

Until you have learned, friends, to love. 

For ye who would know well its pleasures, 

And in its' truest joys have a part, 

Must know that the Spirit op Christmas 
Dwells in a kind, loving heart. 

Only a kind, loving heart! [Exit .] 

OPENING CHORUS 

To be sung by voices off the stage as soft bells are rung. 


Tune: HARK! THE HERAiLD ANGELS SING r 

Hark, the whisper of the breeze! 

Hark, the murmur of the trees! 

Over hill and ’cross the plain 
Floats the holiday refrain; 

Merry voices swell the song, 

Sing it forth with chorus strong, 

Send it o’er the land to say, 

“ Welcome, Merry Christmas Day. 

Welcome Christmas,” voices sing, 

“Welcome Christmas,” glad bells ring. 

During the singing of the second stanza, a number of children, 
carrying boughs of evergreen, enter, half from left and half from 
right, pass across back of stage to opposite side, then half form a 
circle and hold boughs raised, while others march around them 
waving boughs. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


135 


Let the holly wreaths be seen, 

Hang up fragrant boughs of green. 

Peace on earth, good will to men, 

Christmas time has come again. 

Smile as Christmas joys appear, 

Smile and scatter rays of cheer, 

Banish sadness, let joy reign, 

Join the Christmas-tide refrain: 

“Welcome Christmas,” voices sing, 

“Welcome Christmas,” glad bells ring. 

[Marchers exeunt.] 

Enter Pilgrim 

Pilgrim : The voices sing of a merry Christmas and would 
that I might find it. My mind is troubled, my heart is 
sad, and I long for the peace and joy that Christmas 
should bring us. Bells chime forth their merry tones; 
happy voices sing glad Christmas carols, but these do 
not banish my sadness. To whom can I go for guidance ? 
Where can I find the joys of a merry Christmas ? [ Walks 

sadly across stage.] 

Enter Pleasure 

Pleasure: Stay, Pilgrim. Canst thou not tell me the 
way to find a merry Christmas? 

Pilgrim : Nay, for I also seek that same guidance. Who 
art thou? 

Pleasure: I am Pleasure. I enjoy days of revels and 
a life of gaiety. I deck myself with fine raiment and 
follow many forms of amusement, I have many friends 
who entertain me. I live for a good time, but alas! the 
Christmas time, which should be so joyous, fails to fill 
my heart with cheer. 

Pilgrim : Perhaps together we may find the joy we seek. 
[They start off stage as Wealth enters at opposite side.] 

Enter Wealth 


186 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


Wealth [ calling ] : Whither away, travelers'? Stay, that 
I may ask thee a question. [Pilgrim and Pleasure 
turn back.] 

Pleasure: What wouldst thou ask? 

Wealth: Fain would I find a merry Christmas. I am 
Wealth. I live a life of ease and luxury. I fill my 
home with the rarest beauties; I surround myself with 
every comfort that money can obtain. I daily provide 
new luxuries, but with it all I do not know how to find 
a happy Christmas. Canst thou not direct me, kind 
friends ? 

Pleasure [sadly] *. Nay, I, too, am seeking it. 

Pilgrim: Let us travel on together. Perhaps we may 
find one who shall wisely direct us in our search. [The 
three turn and start across stage, meeting Unselfishness 
who enters.] 

Enter Unselfishness 

Wealth : Stay, traveler, and tell us what we so anxiously 
inquire. 

Unselfishness: Gladly will I help thee if in my power. 
Speak, and tell thy troubles. 

Wealth: You see before you [points to Pleasure] 
Pleasure, who spends her hours in gaiety and fills her 
days with festivities, yet can not find a merry Christmas; 
and [points to herself] Wealth, who lavishes upon her¬ 
self all that money can provide, yet fails to find the 
secret of Christmas joy. Canst thou not help us? Who 
art thou? 

Unselfishness: I am Unselfishness and right well can 
I show you the way to find the joy of Christmas. It is 
only by following my teachings that this knowledge may 
become yours. You must cease to think of yourselves; 
only in thinking of OTHERS shall you become happy. 
Ah, two of my workers approach; they shall farther 
direct you. 


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 


137 


Enter Kind. Thoughts and Giving 

Pleasure: I am interested in what thou hast said. Tell 
us more, we pray thee. 

Unselfishness: Workers, kindly direct these seekers who 
would find the way to a merry Christmas. 

Kind Thoughts: I am Kind Thoughts. Employ me if 
you wish your Christmas to be a happy one. All about 
you are those who need a bit of cheer, who are longing 
for sympathy, who need kind words to encourage them. 
The world is full of sadness and troubles; it is full of 
people who need your loving assistance. When you begin 
to have Kind Thoughts for these unfortunates and to 
shower them with your sympathy, then will you find 
the way to a merry Christmas for yourself. 

Giving : I am Giving. True it is, as it was written of 
old, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” You, 
Wealth and Pleasure, have been occupied in getting 
for yourselves all the attractive things of life; you have 
sought only your own happiness. Now you must begin 
to give to others. You must give of yourselves, your 
smiles, your kind words, your love and your time—as 
well as your gifts. Forget yourselves and give to others; 
work for those about you, and again I say unto you, 
GIVE! 

Pleasure: What strange counsel is this! 

Wealth: It is, indeed, a strange and new teaching. 

Pilgrim: Yet, I believe it is truth and wisdom. 

Unselfishness [to Pilgrim] : Thou speakest rightly. 
Only by following the teachings which lead to unselfish¬ 
ness, canst thou discover the secret of a happy Christmas. 
Write this counsel upon your hearts, LOVE and GIVE. 
[Exeunt Unselfishness, Kind Thoughts and Giving.] 

Enter several children trimmed with red crepe papei, bearing 

boughs of green. They stand at back of stage and sing: 


IBS' CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS 

Tune: “IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR” 

(Golden Book of Favorite Songs, Page 80) 

It comes upon the breeze today, 

The won’drous teaching old, 

The words that centuries ago 
The loving Master told; 

“Give unto others, for ’tis thus 
Thou shalt most truly live; 

For those who would find happiness 
Must unto others give. ’ ’ 

At the close of the song they form in lines, facing, raising boughs 
to form an arch under which the Spirit of Christmas comes down 
to center. 

Enter Spirit of Christmas 

Spirit of Christmas [to Pilgrim, Wealth and Pleasure] : 
Dear friends, it is easy to find the true spirt of Christ¬ 
mas, and happy are they who possess it. If thou wilt 
follow its guiding, Christmas shall indeed be for you a 
merry day. As thy heart is, so shall thy Christmas be. 
If your heart is filled with selfishness you can not find 
the true joy of Christmas; if your heart is filled with 
a love for those about you, you shall have the peace and 
good will which make Christmas a blessed day. Let me 
give you a Christmas vision. 

Those who sang and formed the arch for (Spirit of Christmas 
now draw aside the curtains at the back and reveal the tableau, 
on which soft light should be thrown. 

TABLEAU 

Two ragged stockings hang upon the wall. A poorly dressed boy 
and little girl stand by them, gazing sadly then begin to cry 
silently. At one side a poorly dressed man sits with head bowed 
on hands; at the other side a mother leans against the wall, wiping 
her eyes with one hand as she points to the empty stockings. 

Spirit of Christmas speaks; 

A loving heart and a kindly hand could change 
this grief into glee; “inasmuch as ye do for the 
least of these, ye have done it unto Me. ’ ’ 

CURTAIN 
















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Entertainments for All Occasions 

Special Day Entertainments 

BEST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES—Irish. $0.40 

CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS—Irish.40 

CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS—Irish.40 

CHRISTMAS AT MCCARTHYS’—Guptill.25 

CHRISTMAS AT PUMPKIN HOLLER—Guptill.25 

CHRISTMAS EYE AT MULLIGAN’S—Irish.25 

CHRISTMAS SPEAKIN’ AT SKAGGS’ SKULE—Irish.25 

IN A TOY SHOP—Preston.25 

THE PRIMARY CHRISTMAS BOOK—Irish...40 

PUMPKIN PIE PETER—Irish.25 

THE REUNION AT PINE KNOT RANCH—Irish.25 

SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMAS—Preston. 25 

A STRIKE IN SANTA LAND—Preston.25 

A THANKSGIVING CONSPIRACY—Irish...25 

A THANKSGIVING DREAM—Preston. 25 

A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMAS—Guptill.25 

Dialogues and Children’s Plays 

ALL IN A GARDEN FAIR—Wilbur.$0.25 

DOLLS ON DRESS PARADE—Preston.25 

A PARTY IN MOTHER GOOSE LAND—Preston.25 

SNAPPY HUMOROUS DIALOGUES—Irish.40 

Recitations and Pantomimes 

CATCHY PRIMARY RECITATIONS—Irish... ..$0.30 

OLD TIME SONGS PANTOMIMED—Irish. 40 

Plays 

THE DEAREST THING IN BOOTS—MacKenzie.$0.25 

THE GREAT CHICKEN STEALING CASE OF EBENEZER 

COUNTY—Richardson . 25 

THE GREAT WHISKEY STEALING CASE—Richardson.25 

MISS JANIE; OR, THE CURTAILED COURTSHIP—Bonham. .25 

THAT AWFUL LETTER—MacKenzie. .25 

THE UNEXPECTED GUEST—MacKenzie.25 

Monologues 

AS OUR WASHWOMAN SEES IT—MacKenzie.$0.25 

ASK OUIJA—MacKenzie. 25 

THE COUNTRY COUSIN SPEAKS HER MIND—MacKenzie.. .25 

GLADYS REVIEWS THE DANCE—MacKenzie.25 

I’M ENGAGED—MacKenzie.25 

SHE SAYS SHE STUDIES—MacKenzie.25 

SUSAN GETS READY FOR CHURCH—MacKenzie.25 

.. 

PAINE PUBLISHING CO. Dayton, Ohio 




































LIBRARY of congress 


Entertainments fo 




... 




0 010 459 630^7 

CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS.By Marie Irish 

For children of all grades. Contents: 50 recitations, 8 mono¬ 
logues, 11 plays and dialogues, 5 drills and marches, 8 tableaux, 
4 pantomimes, 8 pantomimed carols, 8 songs, etc. Price, 40 cents. 

THE PRIMARY CHRISTMAS BOOK.By Marie Irish 

For children under ten years of age. Contents: 68 recitations, 
12 exercises, 7 songs, 6 drills, 12 dialogues and plays, 9 pantomimes. 
Price, 40 cents. 

BEST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES.By Marie Irish 

Twelve pantomimes, each accompanied by complete words, 
directions and music. Some are serious and some are in a lighter 
vein. Price, 40 cents. 

CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PL AYS... By Marie Irish 

Ten dialogues for Primary Grades, 10 dialogues for Intermediate 
Grades and 8 plays for Grammar Grades. Price, 40 cents. 

CHRISTMAS AT McCARTHYS’.By Elizabeth F. Guptill 

Brimful of fun and Christmas spirit. For any number of young 
folks and children. Time, 30 minutes. Price, 25 cents. 

CHRISTMAS AT PUMPKIN’ HOLLER..... .By Elizabeth F. Guptill 

The old-fashioned school is rehearsing for the Christmas enter¬ 
tainment. Funny from beginning to end. Time, 30 minutes. For 
any number of children. Price, 25 cents. 

CHRISTMAS EVE AT MULLIGAN’S.By Marie Irish 

For all grades. 4 males, 5 females. Time, 30 minutes. A most 
unusual play. Plenty of wit and humor as well as more serious 
episodes. Sure to be a success. Price, 25 cents. 

CHRISTMAS SPEAKIN’ AT SKAGGS’ SKULE.By Marie Irish 

A back woods school entertainment is featured. Easy to pre¬ 
pare and plenty of fun. For 6 boys and 8 girls. Time, 30 minutes. 
Price, 25 cents. 

IN A TOY SHOP.By Effa E. Preston 

In rhyme. For 12 or more small children. A clever little play 
that will please. Time, 20 minutes. Price, 25 cents. 

THE REUNION AT PINE KNOT RANCH.By Marie Irish 

For upper grades. 5 males and 6 females. Time, 30 minutes. 
Plenty of fun and a great surprise. Price, 25 cents. 

SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMAS.By Marie Irish 

For 4 boys and 4 girls. For mixed grades. Time, 25 minutes. 
The older children play Santa Claus for the younger ones. Price, 
25 cents. 

A STRIKE IN SANTA LAND.By Effa E. Preston 

In rhyme. 8 boys, 7 girls. Time, 20 minutes. Very'easy but 
effective. Price, 25 cents. 

A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMAS.By Elizabeth F. Guptill 

Humorous. For any number of children under fourteen years 
of age. Time, 30 minutes. Priee, 25 cents. 




PAINE PUBLISHING CO. 




Dayton, Ohio 
















































